Ralph Albert Feuchtwanger dies at 86

Ralph Albert Feuchtwanger of Grand Prairie, Texas, departed this life at the age of 86, on June 14, 2017.
He was born and raised on a farm in Ionia, and graduated from Nashua High School in 1949. He worked at the former White Farm Equipment factory in Charles City for nearly 20 years, as well as working the family farm in Ionia until 1985. He and his family were active members of the Republic Community Church in rural Ionia. In 1986, he moved to Texas with his beloved wife, Shirley, and together they had lived in the city of Grand Prairie for the past 31 years.
He was proceeded in death by his father, Bert Feuchtwanger, his mother Helen (née Sheldon) Feuchtwanger, his brother, Stanley Feuchtwanger and his son, Dale Feuchtwanger.
He is survived by Shirley (née Solbrack) Feuchtwanger; his loving wife of 61 years, by his sister, Lucille Mathews of Mesa, Ariz., and by his sons and daughters-in-law; Bert and Linda Feuchtwanger of Dike, Gary Feuchtwanger of Grand Prairie, Texas, Hal and Edwina Feuchtwanger of Flower Mound, Texas, and Kent and Misty Feuchtwanger of Grand Prairie, Texas. He was also a proud grandfather and great grandfather to seven grandsons/granddaughters, as well as seven great grandsons/granddaughters.
Those who knew Ralph were drawn by his unwavering spirit, his caring demeanor, and his boundless gift for conversation. He would often spend hours of his day throughout his retirement years, and to his great enjoyment, speaking and reminiscing by phone with countless family and friends; including former neighbors, childhood classmates, and new-found friends across the country. And while you could take the boy off the farm, you were never able to take the farmer out of the boy. When he wasn’t talking on the phone or reading/researching on his laptop, you were sure to find him getting dirty in the backyard, where he loved to nurture and grow his garden filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables and the occasional flowers.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service to honor Ralph’s life and passing, to be held at Republic Community Church in Ionia, at 11 a.m.on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Food and refreshments will be served following the memorial. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ralph’s memory to the Republic Community Church or to a charitable organization of the donor’s choosing.