Obituary for Ralph Lawrence Rye
Just after 11:00PM on March 11, 2016, Ralph passed away at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS as a result of severe burns received in an accident earlier that day. He passed peacefully surrounded by family member in prayer. Ralph was 86 years old.
Ralph was born in Lankin, North Dakota on December 5, 1929 and was the youngest of nine children. He grew up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. His love of all things outdoors began with hunting near his family's farm. He worked on the railroad at the age of 15. He got his barber's license at the age of 16 in Spokane, Washington (1945). He enlisted in the Army in 1948: Company B, 23rd Infantry, 2nd Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.
Around 1950 he followed his brother, Cliff, and moved to De Soto, Kansas. Ralph married Atropa Roberta Moncrief on May 16, 1953 in Olathe, Kansas. He owned and operated several gas stations in De Soto for 20 plus years (1953-1973). He owned "Ralph's Trading Post" in De Soto for 20 years (1973 to the early 90's). He was part of the De Soto Rescue Unit.
It was while living in De Soto that he took his first hunting trip "out west" to Wyoming and that began a lifetime of hunting and fishing trips all over the United States and the world, including two trips to Africa and at least nine trips to Alaska. After retiring from owning the Trading Post, he continued to buy, sell and trade goods of all sorts up until the day he died as anyone in his
Wednesday night meetings could attest. His specialty was always dealing in guns. He was an avid carpenter, having built several houses throughout his life including the one he and Atropa lived in for over 40 years. Many family members attest that he was one of the greatest story tellers they have ever known. He has captivated family and friends, old and young with his never ending source of tales...some taller than others.
Ralph was preceded in death by: his parents Henry T and Julia Rye; eight siblings Oliver Rye, Hilda Jorgeson, Alice Steinhauer, Ella Anderson Steinhauer, Nora Cloutier, Murvin Rye, Cliff Rye and Ilene Stitt; son-in-laws Robert Chamberlain and Garrett Andreae; grandsons Joseph Chamberlain and Jamie Andreae and granddaughter Jenny Lloyd.
Ralph is survived by: wife Antropa; children Lora Andreae, Reta Chamberlain and Henry (Teri) Rye; 11 grandchildren Clint Chamberlain, Montana (Sarah) Chamberlain, Josh Chamberlain, Eric Chamberlain, Sarah (Kenny) Stienbarger, Matt Chamberlain, Graham Andreae, Robert Andreae, Clara (Garrett) Gordon, Aaron (Bethany) Rye, Thomas (Amy) Rye; 21 great grandchildren and a great great granddaughter.
The celebration of Ralph's life will be on March 19, 2016 at 3:00PM with a visitation before fro 1-3:00PM at Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel, 32665 Lexington Ave., De Soto, KS. There will be no graveside service.
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Ralph was born in Lankin, North Dakota on December 5, 1929 and was the youngest of nine children. He grew up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. His love of all things outdoors began with hunting near his family's farm. He worked on the railroad at the age of 15. He got his barber's license at the age of 16 in Spokane, Washington (1945). He enlisted in the Army in 1948: Company B, 23rd Infantry, 2nd Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.
Around 1950 he followed his brother, Cliff, and moved to De Soto, Kansas. Ralph married Atropa Roberta Moncrief on May 16, 1953 in Olathe, Kansas. He owned and operated several gas stations in De Soto for 20 plus years (1953-1973). He owned "Ralph's Trading Post" in De Soto for 20 years (1973 to the early 90's). He was part of the De Soto Rescue Unit.
It was while living in De Soto that he took his first hunting trip "out west" to Wyoming and that began a lifetime of hunting and fishing trips all over the United States and the world, including two trips to Africa and at least nine trips to Alaska. After retiring from owning the Trading Post, he continued to buy, sell and trade goods of all sorts up until the day he died as anyone in his
Wednesday night meetings could attest. His specialty was always dealing in guns. He was an avid carpenter, having built several houses throughout his life including the one he and Atropa lived in for over 40 years. Many family members attest that he was one of the greatest story tellers they have ever known. He has captivated family and friends, old and young with his never ending source of tales...some taller than others.
Ralph was preceded in death by: his parents Henry T and Julia Rye; eight siblings Oliver Rye, Hilda Jorgeson, Alice Steinhauer, Ella Anderson Steinhauer, Nora Cloutier, Murvin Rye, Cliff Rye and Ilene Stitt; son-in-laws Robert Chamberlain and Garrett Andreae; grandsons Joseph Chamberlain and Jamie Andreae and granddaughter Jenny Lloyd.
Ralph is survived by: wife Antropa; children Lora Andreae, Reta Chamberlain and Henry (Teri) Rye; 11 grandchildren Clint Chamberlain, Montana (Sarah) Chamberlain, Josh Chamberlain, Eric Chamberlain, Sarah (Kenny) Stienbarger, Matt Chamberlain, Graham Andreae, Robert Andreae, Clara (Garrett) Gordon, Aaron (Bethany) Rye, Thomas (Amy) Rye; 21 great grandchildren and a great great granddaughter.
The celebration of Ralph's life will be on March 19, 2016 at 3:00PM with a visitation before fro 1-3:00PM at Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel, 32665 Lexington Ave., De Soto, KS. There will be no graveside service.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
19
Mar
1:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel
32665 Lexington Avenue
De Soto, KS 66018
Memorial Service
Saturday
19
Mar
3:00 PM
Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel
32665 Lexington Avenue
De Soto, KS 66018
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