Ralph Hicks
Ralph L. Hicks, 91, of De Soto, WI, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at his home in De Soto. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 25 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. There will be a 9 a.m. rosary with the visitation following until time of the services at the church Thursday. Burial will be held in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Hokah, MN. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling the arrangements.
No one knows where or when Ralph’s life began. A childless couple, Elbert and Stella (Hill) Hicks, adopted him from The Home for Little Wanderers in Saint Joseph, MO - now Noyes Home for Children. With no birth record, his Certificate of Adoption stated he was born “on or about June 7, 1933.”
Raised in a faith-based home, he was taught by example some of life’s greatest virtues: kindness, respect, honesty, generosity, dependability, and compassion. He was blessed with joy in his spirit. Throughout his life he kept his adventuresome attitude and his sense of humor.
His military service included some early years in the U.S. Navy followed by many more years in Germany with the Air Force as an Electronics Engineer and, later on, the Inspection Team in Europe. His career ended with an honorable discharge after service in Vietnam.
His civilian career included teaching high school biology and working as an electronics engineer for GTE, Valmont Electric, and Siemens, Inc. in Illinois, Texas, and New Mexico, with 15 years in Juarez, Mexico.
God blessed him with exceptional talent. He tried to do it all, but there just wasn’t enough time. Golf and rebuilding his 1939 Chevy pick-up were enjoyable, but his creative talent was most evident in his oil painting and building furniture in his wood shop. That shop became a home away from home.
He could do anything with his hands and mind.
After moving to De Soto, WI, he served as a District 4 Vernon County Supervisor for a number of years. May 1, 1986, he married Bonnie (Hoskins) Miller and immediately stepped into the role of fatherhood to become the best dad their children ever knew.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two sons, Jeffery (Kathy) Miller and Timothy (Jenny) Miller; and a daughter, Patricia (Brian “Toby”) Nuttleman. He is further survived by eight grandchildren: Allie (former husband, Paul Skinner), Jacob, Philip, Aricin, Joshua, Klarissa (Kevin Shepeck), Justin, and Karly Jo; and one great-granddaughter, Harper.
The family extends their profound gratitude to Father James Altman and Father Joseph Sevcik. By their example, patience, guidance, and words of wisdom, they were able to lead Ralph to eternal life with Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and his patron, Saint Padre Pio.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Noyes Home for Children, 801 North Noyes Boulevard, St. Joseph, MO 64506 or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 648 Main Street, Lansing, IA 52151.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
