"Our heart-felt sympathies to Wanda and all of Ralph's family and friends. Always felt he was a relative since his brother Ervin & Josie were double-cousins to us. Cherish the nice, long visit with him at Ervin's visitation and funeral services. Recall his heart attack at Peterson's at Uncle Alfred's funeral visitation. Proud of his military service to our country along side his brother. May both rest in peace, Les & Karen Johnson."
In loving memory of
Ralph V. Crouch
December 7, 2011
Ralph Virgil Crouch, one of seven children of Christina Anna Maria Fredrika (Hice) and Charles Henry Crouch, was born on September 30, 1930 in Glenwood, Iowa. He grew up in Glenwood and graduated from Glenwood High School in 1950. Ralph worked for Mills County before enlisting in the United States Army during the Korean War. Following his service, Ralph returned to the Glenwood area where he farmed briefly, before resuming heavy equipment work for Mills County as a dragline operator for a number of years and retired as a Mills County Bridge Foreman in 1992.
Ralph and Wanda May Roberts were united in marriage on June 19, 1955 in Glenwood and their marriage was blessed with three children, Kevin, Dana, and Michelle.
Ralph was a member of the First Christian Church, American Legion, VFW, and Eagles. He loved the outdoors, enjoyed splitting wood and helping his neighbors and friends. His family was very important to him and his grandchildren meant the world to him for he loved being a "grandpa".
Ralph and Wanda were married 56 wonderful years when Ralph passed away on December 7, 2011 at Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age of 81 years, 2 months, and 7 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson James Matula; sisters, Selma Crouch and Ila Bolton and husband Mervin; brothers, Fred Crouch and Ervin Crouch.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife Wanda Crouch of Glenwood; son Kevin Crouch and wife Monica of Red Oak, IA; daughters, Dana Matula and husband Tim, and Michelle Evans and husband Jeff, all of Glenwood; ten grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn Wiley and husband Bill of Pendleton, IN, and Carol Kiersch and husband Herman of Clarinda, IA; sister-in-law Josie Crouch of Malvern, IA; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Memorials suggested to First Christian Church Narthex Renovation Fund.
Interment to be held at a later date.
Tributes
"Kevin and Monica, Thinking of you at this time. Peace to your family."
"Kevin, Monica and family. So sorry to hear of the passing of you dad and grandpa. He was always so kind when we met and was so proud of you all. Cherish the memories. Give our best wishes to your mom. Larry and Rhonda"
"Dear Wanda and family, Richard and I want to express our deepest sympathy to all of you. The loss of husband/father/grandfather is difficult, but we know that you have years of happy memories, some touching, some comic but all a reminder of the love you shared with Ralph. I will remember Ralph as a loving man who doted on his kids and grandkids, as well as a man who always made me feel at home in his presence. May God comfort you and be with you all in the days ahead. With sincerest sympathy-- Sharon and Richard Baldwin"
"Dear Wanda & family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. Ralph will be missed -- always looked for him on the porch during nice weather when we drove by. Blessings, Denise & Steve Jacobsen"