Obituaries

Ralph Kiesling (Veteran)

Photo of Ralph Kiesling (Veteran)
Ralph F. Kiesling, age 80, of Jefferson City, died Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico. He was born December 9, 1930, in Russellville, a son of John J. and Leona Weber Kiesling. On June 29, 1952, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lohman, Ralph was united in marriage to Mathilda "Tillie" Linsenbardt, who survives at their home. He was a 1950 graduate of Russellville High School and a graduate of the U.S. Air Force School of Aviation Medicine in Montgomery Alabama. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from January 4, 1951 to December 16, 1954, stationed at the U.S. Air Force Base Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, achieving the rank of Sergeant-Major. He was employed at Charles E. Still Hospital in Jefferson City as Administrator for 20 years, and retired as Administrator of the Pulaski County Memorial Hospital in Waynesville. Ralph also owned and operated a coast to coast long distance, refrigerated transport company for a few years. He was a charter member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Jefferson City. He was a member of the Lions Club, the American Legion and the Capital Racing Association, where he was instrumental in establishing Capital Speedway in Holts Summit. He was a past Board Member of the Lincoln University Foundation and also served as President and as a Delegate for numerous Hospital Associations in the State of Missouri throughout his career. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald and Charlene Kiesling of Polk City, Iowa and Roger and Deana Kiesling of Hutte, Texas; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Elmer and JoAnn Kiesling of Jefferson City and Walter and Joy Kiesling of Russellville; six grandchildren, Jessica and Lindsey Kiesling, Sherri (Dave) Swory, Mackenzie and Alec White and Aubrey Kiesling, one great-grandson, Hayden Swory; also nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and twin brother, Ray T. Kiesling. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 24, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Jefferson City, with Pastor Scott Musselman officiating. Friends will be received from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church on Saturday. Interment, with military funeral honors, will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Lohman. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Our Savior's Lutheran Church or the Central Missouri Humane Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home, Russellville. www.scrivner-morrow.com

Published September 23, 2011