Friday, March 29, 2024
39.0°F

Ralph Emery Bledsoe, 93

| March 18, 2014 12:58 PM

Ralph Emery Bledsoe, 93, of Coeur d’Alene, ID passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Courtyard of Coeur d’Alene (formerly Bee Hive Homes).

Ralph was born April 19, 1920, in Hartsburg, MO to William Harrison Bledsoe and Otie Mae Bledsoe. He was the youngest of eight children. While working on a tugboat on the Missouri River, he met Susan “Madaline” Kruger, whom he married on May 20, 1939. She was the love of his life for 68 1/2 years until her death in 2007.

Ralph was a hard worker and enjoyed many different jobs through the years. In 1940, he started as an aircraft mechanic in San Diego. During World War II he went to Australia where he worked as a civilian aircraft mechanic on B-24’s and on “Bataan,” General MacArthur’s personal B-17. As the war continued, he wanted to return home to his young wife and two small children. Shortly after returning home he was drafted and the Army sent him back to the same job he had been doing as a civilian, but for a lot less money. Ralph served with the “Tropic Lightning” 25th Division in the Philippines, and was on a troop transport when Japan surrendered. He was one of the first troops to occupy Japan.

After the war, Ralph briefly tried farming in Missouri, but soon returned to San Diego and worked lathing during the housing boom following the war. It was at Casa de Oro Baptist Church in Spring Valley, Calif., that Ralph’s life changed dramatically when he and Madaline both accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. When you met Ralph you knew that he was a Christian, as he hardly ever let a conversation end without asking if you were Born Again.

In 1963, Ralph moved to Novato, Calif., where he became an ironworker in San Francisco working on skyscrapers. In 1971, Ralph moved to North Idaho where he built his little cabin in Wolf Lodge. He enjoyed fishing out his back door, and riding horses in the woods surrounding his home. Visitors fell in love with the peaceful cabin and enjoyed fish fries, barbecues, and home-baked pies with homemade ice cream.

In 2008, Ralph met and married Vonda Beck Bledsoe. Ralph and Vonda enjoyed each other’s love and companionship as they traveled and played cards with family and friends.

Ralph moved into Bee Hive Assisted Living on his 91st birthday. Ralph was well liked at Bee Hive by most people as long as he was allowed to sit in “his favorite chair.” The family would like to thank all of the staff at The Courtyard for their patience and kindness toward Ralph.

He is survived by his three children: Gary (Lizette), of Brownsville, TX, Jacqueline Woods (Robert), of Coeur d’Alene, and Deborah Loftin (Norman), of Post Falls; grandchildren: Darren Woods (Lisa), of Coeur d’Alene, with their two children, Blaine and Ryley; Scott Bledsoe (Amy), of San Diego, Calif., and their son Eli; Alisa Loftin Ward (Mark), of Coeur d’Alene, with their children Bryce, Emily, and Hunter; Shelley Bledsoe, of Melbourne, Australia; Joshua Loftin (Carmi), of Post Falls, with their children Gage and Reese.

Graveside services with military honors will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 22, at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m., at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church, 5350 N. Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene. A lunch with some of Ralph’s favorite foods will be provided following the service. Viewing will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Saturday, at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to GoodSeed International.