Willa M Ralston

Funeral Services for Willa M. Ralston will be conducted from the Presbyterian Church of Orleans, Nebraska on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Dave Irwin, officiating. Interment will be in the Orleans Cemetery.

Willa Maxine (Ehrke) Ralston, 84 years of age, of Orleans, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Harlan County Health Systems in Alma, Nebraska. Willa was born March 27, 1925, southwest of Stamford in Furnas County, Nebraska, the third of four children of Herman and Gardie (Stroh) Ehrke. She received her primary education from District #57 and graduated from Stamford High School with the class of 1942. Willa then pursued higher education at the Hastings Business College. She was then employed in the office of the Kerr-Cochran Chevrolet Company in Hastings, Nebraska.

On September 6, 1953 she was united in marriage to Thomas B. Ralston in the home of her parents in Stamford. To this union three sons were born: Thomas Herman who passed away in infancy, Thomas Ray and Bryan Lee. The family made their home in Orleans, where Willa focused on raising their sons. Family and friends were very important to her and she was always there to help and lead in the community, church, and school. She loved music and was called upon to sing or play for many occasions. Pies, cakes, and rolls will be a fond memory of many as well.

On November 7, 1985, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas. In January of 1997, Elva Simpson and his family became part of Willa's family. They enjoyed many special occasions together.

Willa was a baptized member of the Bethel Evangelical United Brethren Church southwest of Stamford until transferring her membership to the Orleans Presbyterian Church on April 2, 1961. She was a member of the Presbyterian Women, P.E.O. Chapter BW, the Orleans Women's Civic Club, and the Orleans Legion Auxiliary Post #184.

She leaves to mourn her passing her two sons: Tom Ralston and his wife, Linda of Fenton, Michigan and Bryan Ralston and his wife, Jeanne of Gretna, Nebraska; five grandchildren: Tom Ralston of Grand Rapids, Michigan, James and Alex Ralston both of Fenton, Jack and Kristin Ralston both of Gretna; one brother, Lloyd Ehrke and his wife, Marjorie of Stamford; special friend, Elva Simpson of Orleans and his four sons and their families; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband and infant son, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Lawrence Ehrke and his wife, Francis; and one sister, Violet Bose and her husband, L.J.

Willa will lie in state at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans on Monday, May 25, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory 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 Funeral Home in Orleans is in charge of the arrangements.