Ralph
Ralph Maslonka
d. November 26, 2010
Ralph Maslonka, 95 of Loup City died Friday, November 26, 2010 at Hillcrest Country Estates in Omaha, NE. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 29, 2010 at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City with Father Martin Egging officiating. Burial will be held at the Ord City Cemetery in Ord, NE with military honors by the Ord VFW Post #7029 and Ord American Legion Post #38. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 28, 2010 at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church with a Vigil Service held at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Maslonka family or donor’s choice.
Ralph was born October 3, 1915, in a sod house near Comstock, NE, to Anna Josephine (Kozial) and Andrew John Maslonka.
Ralph grew up in Ord, NE, where he met and married Ruth Irene (Collins) on November 16, 1940. While in Ord he worked for Service Oil driving tractor trailer units carrying cattle and freight on long hauls and driving gas transports hauling fuels from the refinery to dealers. He lived in 14 states while working heavy construction and retired as a carpenter superintendent from the Al Johnson Construction Company in 1983. Many of the safety protocols and construction techniques Ralph implemented are still used today industry wide. He and Ruth traveled extensively through 46 states and many foreign countries.
Ralph joined the Army in 1942 and proudly served his country in the 338
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Infantry in the European/African/Middle Eastern Theater for 3 ½ years during World War II where he fought on the front lines in battles and campaigns that included Rome-Arno, North Apennines, and the Po Valley. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal for valor, the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat, and a Purple Heart for wounds incurred in action. He was a Founder/Charter Member and a Lifetime Member of the VFW, Post 7029, in Ord. He was a member of St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City.
Ralph had a quick sense of humor and sharp insights. He was a loving husband, father, and father-in-law and was devoted to his family. Through many Nebraska winters, The Great Depression, and a world war he was never known to complain. He was dearly loved and he will be greatly missed.
Survivors of the immediate family include two daughters and a son-in-law: Cheryl Ann Maslonka of Omaha and Trudy Kay Maslonka and her husband, DeWitt D. Smith, of Boulder, CO.
Additional survivors include his sister Tillie (Maslonka) Knecht of Hastings, his Goddaughter Theresa (Collins) Niemeyer of West Branch, Iowa, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by Ruth, his wife of 68 years, his parents Anna and Andrew Maslonka, also of Loup City, and three sisters: Clara Kenfield, Victoria Baker, and Maxine Lien.
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