Ralph W. Petefish

April 24, 1913-Sept. 1, 2007

LINCOLN -- Ralph W. Petefish, 94, formerly of Cambridge, died Saturday (Sept. 1, 2007), at Tabitha Hospice.

He was born April 24, 1913, to Walter S and Allie (Yates) Petefish at Calhan, Colo. He grew up in the Calhan and Peyton areas and graduated from Peyton High School in 1931. Because of the depression, he was unable to continue his education immediately following graduation. He entered Colorado A & M College in 1939, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in May of 1942.

After graduation, he entered the Army serving with the 385th Regiment as a surgical technician. Upon being discharged in November of 1945, he entered the University of Wisconsin. He received his Master of Science degree in Dairy Husbandry before returning to Colorado to take a teaching position in the Holly High School in September of 1946.

On Jan. 26, 1948, he married Marjorie Jenkins. Later he taught a Veterans on the Farm class at McClave, Colo., was Farm Manager at Fort Lyon, Colo., and taught agriculture at Wiley, Colo.

They moved to Cambridge in September 1954. He taught a Veterans on the Farm class, had a feed and seed business, and sold hail insurance. Later, he taught Science and Aerospace Education in the Beaver City, Greeley and Beaver Valley Schools. He retired in 1978 and became involved in several volunteer activities while he continued selling hail insurance.

He was an active member of St Paul's Lutheran Church, the Chamber of Commerce and various teachers' organizations.

In 2002, his health issues led them to an assisted living facility in Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and her husband, Edna and Bonnie Beck, and a sister-in-law, and her husband, Betty and Vernon Adkins.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; two daughters, Nancy and husband, Merrel Mikesell of Colby, Kan., and Linda and husband, Lou Meduna of Lincoln; son, John and wife, Shelly Petefish of Little Rock, Ark.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Cambridge on Thursday at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. David Feddern officiating.

Memorials may be given to St Paul's Lutheran Church, the Cambridge Senior Center or Hospice of Tabitha.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.