Ralph L. Greenlee

Ralph L. Greenlee

Dec. 22, 1927 - Jan. 15, 2012

SPEARFISH, South Dakota --Ralph L. Greenlee, 84, died Sunday, (Jan. 15, 2012), at David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish.

He was born Dec. 22, 1927, at McCook, Nebraska, to Alva and Velma (Downs) Greenlee. He grew up on a farm near Curtis, Nebraska, graduating from Curtis High School in 1946. He joined the Army in 1946-1947 and was stationed in Japan.

When he returned he worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone and later for the Union Pacific Railroad in North Platte, Nebraska. He later went to work at the Hot Springs Veteran's Administration Hospital as an electrician, refrigeration/air conditioning mechanic until his retirement in 1988.

He married his wife of 61 years, Erma, in June of 1950. Together they had three children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Doris Swanson and brother, Kenneth Greenlee.

He is survived by his wife Erma, of Spearfish; sons, Bruce and wife, Virginia Greenlee of Springlake, Michigan, Michael and Jill Greenlee, of Powell, Wisconsin; daughter, Kim Greenlee of Spearfish; sisters; Nita and husband, Kenny Mallack of McCook, Karen and husband, Marion Tatum, of Lincoln, Nebraska and Ida Mae of Oregon; two brothers, Tim and wife, Lael Greenlee and Jim Greenlee of Missouri; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A funeral service was Jan. 17 at Spearfish, with interment at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota.