Ralph M. Kalin, age 87, of Holstein, formerly of Galva, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at 10:30 AM at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Schaller with the Fr. Timothy A. Friedrichsen officiating. Burial will be at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery of Schaller with military rites conducted by the American Legion Dibbern Post 454 of Galva. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 from 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM with a vigil prayer service at 4:30 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein. Memorials can be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and to Catholic Charities.
Ralph Kalin was born on December 29, 1928 in Cedar Co. at Coleridge, NE to Martin and Anna (Keiter) Kalin. He received his education in Cedar County NE. He moved with his parents to Moville in 1944 and Battle Creek in 1945 then to Galva in 1946. He farmed with his father until 1950 when he enlisted in the service. He received his honorable discharge in 1952 and returned to the farm.
On February 10, 1953 he married Margaret “Peggy” Murray at St. Joseph’s Church in Schaller, IA. The couple farmed in the Galva area until their retirement. In 2010 they moved to Holstein. He was devoted to a life of farming and knew the significance of living close to the land. He enjoyed his coffee hours with the groups at Galva and Holstein.
He was a member of the American Legion Dibbern Post 454 of Galva and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Schaller.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Peggy of Holstein; one son, Don Mark and his wife Susan; two daughters, Rhonda Anne Johnson and husband Larry and Julie Marie Yearous and husband Brad, all of Galva; twelve grandchildren, Amy Schopperth and husband Nick, Jason Yearous and wife Megan, Kyle Yearous and special friend Christina Greene, Mallory Bremer and husband Camron, Evan Johnson and wife Jodi, Nathan Johnson and wife Kate, Collin Johnson and wife Kily, Bill Kalin, Maggie Kalin, Molly Meyer and husband Kody, Bethany Kalin, Audrey Kalin,; fifteen great-grandchildren and one expected in October. He is also survived by one sister-in-law Eleanor Sokolowski of Marcus and one brother-in-law Leo Murray and wife Janice of Algona; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter Elizabeth Yearous; and sister and brother-in-law Romaine and Dorothy Schriber and brother-in-law, Henry Sokolowski.