Ralph E. Best

Funeral Services for Ralph E. Best will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford, Nebraska with Pastor Wes Hafner officiating.  Interment will be in the Edison Cemetery at Edison, Nebraska with military honors provided by the Oxford American Legion Post #219 in conjunction with the Offutt Air Force Base Military Funeral Honors Team.

Ralph Eugene Best, 88 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska (formerly of rural Oxford) passed away on Monday, October 10, 2016 at the Good Samaritan – Colonial Villa in Alma.  Ralph was born September 9, 1928 on the family farm southeast of Oxford in Harlan County, Nebraska, to John and Anna (Meier) Best.  He received his primary education from the New Era Rural School in Furnas County and then graduated from Oxford High School.  He was baptized at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford by Rev. H. Wm. Meyer and confirmed in the same church on March 29, 1942 by the Rev. P.W. Ludwig.  His confirmation verse was Titus 2; verses 11 & 12.  Ralph joined the St. John's Voters assembly at the age of 21 and has since held several offices and was an active member on several boards.

Ralph lived near Oxford, where he engaged in farming his entire life with exception of three years that he served in the United States Air Force Security Service during the Korean War.  He served 2 ½ years in Germany and until his Honorable Discharge.

He was united in marriage to Eula "Mae" (Fisher) Robeson in 1965, and the couple enjoyed 51 years of marriage together.  They enjoyed traveling together, especially loved spending their winters in McAllen, Texas, where they made many friendship bonds.

Ralph was active in his community, serving on 10 civic boards, the longest of which was on the Oxford Rural Fire Board and the Frenchman-Cambridge Irrigation Board.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ben Best; three sisters-in-law; and two step-children:  Leon Robeson and Elaine Rask.

Ralph leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Mae Best of Alma; daughter-in-law, LesLee McGee and her husband, Tracy of Edison, Nebraska; son-in-law, Bruce Rask of Minden, Nebraska; granddaughter, Jessica Zoubek and her husband, Greg of Firth, Nebraska; and two great-granddaughters:  Olivia and Aubrey Zoubek.  In addition, he is survived by one nephew, Rodney Best and his wife, Patricia of Edison; great-niece, Tara Snow and her husband, Jan of Savannah, Georgia; great-nephew, Jon Best and his wife, Elizabeth of Katy, Texas with their two sons:  Zane and Jude; along with a host of other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.

A memorial has been established in Ralph's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.