Chadrad.com

Funeral services for Ralph Strotheide, age 85, of Chadron, NE will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 23, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Hay Springs, NE with Pastor Paul Smith officiating. Everyone is invited to a lunch and sharing of wonderful memories with family and friends at the Community Hall on South Main in Hay Springs following the services.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Chadron Sale barn and also from 11:00 AM-7:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron.

Burial will be at the Hay Springs Cemetery in Hay Springs, NE.

A memorial has been established. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE69337. The family is also making a Memorial Book for the Grandkids. The family requests if you have a story about Ralph, please write it down or record it for the family. They will have devices at the visitation for recording colorful memories others have of Ralph.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Ralph passed away peacefully on the morning of March 19, 2015 in Rapid City, SD. He was born on August 5, 1929 to Ralph and Nan (Heaton) Strotheide at his grandmother’s house in Hay Springs, NE. He was the second oldest of four children. Ralph lived most of his life in the Hay Springs area and later moved to Chadron, where he currently resided.

Ralph met Helen Knapp, and they were married October 1, 1950. Ralph was drafted into the Korean War in November 1951 and later deployed to Austria. He was able to have Helen with him while stationed in Austria until 1953. To this union of 65 years, two children were born, Sandra and Rick.

Ralph ranched and farmed in the Hay Springs area his entire life. He owned and operated Chadron Sales Company for many years. Ralph was a member of the Hay Springs American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge, and the Nebraska and South Dakota Stockgrowers.

Preceding Ralph in death were his parents, brothers Donald and Dean, and in-laws Reggie and Susie Knapp. Survivors include wife Helen; daughter Sandra (Barton) Koinzan; son Rick (Emma) Strotheide; his pride and joy five grandchildren and five great grandchildren Greg (Courtney) Koinzan, Ryan (Koryn), Lynae, Lucille, Bode and Wyatt Koinzan, Kara (Matt) and Liam Pelster, Kirk Koinzan and Cassie Baldo, and Regg Strotheide and Rylee Hanks; sister Shirley Butler; and in-laws Bob (Joyce) Knapp, Joan (Bubs) Heiting, and Janice Strotheide.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Ralph Strotheide.