Ralph Robert Wrage was born on May 13, 1926, in rural Black Hawk County, the son of Gus and Frieda (Wicht) Wrage. He grew up in Black Hawk County and graduated from Hudson High School with the class of 1944. Ralph served his country in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947. He served in Korea toward the end of World War II. On October 22, 1947, Ralph was united in marriage to Mildred “Millie” Gustin. Ralph worked as a farmer until his retirement at age 66. He then worked for Cropmate in Reinbeck for three years and Petuminus in Tama. Ralph enjoyed his Buckskin horses and was a member of the Dysart Horse Club. He was also a member of the Iowa Polka Club, Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart, and a past member of the Traer American Legion. Ralph died at the age of 87, on Monday, October 29, 2013, at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Bonnie Jo; a sister, Hertha Liscom; two brothers, Gus and Leslie; and a son in law, Jerry Newell. Ralph is survived by his wife of 66 years, Millie; a son, Larry (Lynn) Wrage of Waterloo; three daughters, Carol Newell of Oklahoma, Barbara (Roy) Wright of Arkansas and Nancy (Myron) Engelhardt of Waterloo; a brother, John (Marlis) Wrage of Dysart; and numerous nieces, nephews and step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ralph R. Wrage, 87

Ralph Robert Wrage was born on May 13, 1926, in rural Black Hawk County, the son of Gus and Frieda (Wicht) Wrage. He grew up in Black Hawk County and graduated from Hudson High School with the class of 1944. Ralph served his country in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947. He served in Korea toward the end of World War II. On October 22, 1947, Ralph was united in marriage to Mildred “Millie” Gustin. Ralph worked as a farmer until his retirement at age 66. He then worked for Cropmate in Reinbeck for three years and Petuminus in Tama. Ralph enjoyed his Buckskin horses and was a member of the Dysart Horse Club. He was also a member of the Iowa Polka Club, Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart, and a past member of the Traer American Legion. Ralph died at the age of 87, on Monday, October 29, 2013, at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Bonnie Jo; a sister, Hertha Liscom; two brothers, Gus and Leslie; and a son in law, Jerry Newell. Ralph is survived by his wife of 66 years, Millie; a son, Larry (Lynn) Wrage of Waterloo; three daughters, Carol Newell of Oklahoma, Barbara (Roy) Wright of Arkansas and Nancy (Myron) Engelhardt of Waterloo; a brother, John (Marlis) Wrage of Dysart; and numerous nieces, nephews and step grandchildren and great grandchildren.