Ralph Charles Berendzen

Ralph Charles Berendzen, 76, passed away Sunday, September 9, 2018, at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Memorial Hospital in Columbia, after a long battle with cancer. Ralph is survived by three sons, Eddie (Carol) Berendzen of Higbee, Robert (April) Berendzen of Higbee, and Michael (Ashley) Berendzen of Hallsville; grandchildren, Jennifer (Shawn) Lurding, Austin Berendzen, Ashley (Evan) Clark, Bradley, Claire, Nathan, Alaina, Ellie, Aidan, Annabelle, and Abram Berendzen; two sisters, Rose Rehagen of New Bloomfield, and Helen (Jesse) Bax of St. Elizabeth. Ralph was born September 19, 1941, in Mary's Home, Mo. to Edwin and Martha (Hake) Berendzen, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Eugene High School in 1959 before entering in the US Army, where he served from 1961- 1964. He later moved to Jeffersonville, Ind., where he owned and operated Gateway Shell for nearly 25 years. Ralph returned to Missouri where he farmed for several years before moving to Columbia and acquiring a position in maintenance at Lenoir Health Care. He truly enjoyed working with and making fond memories with all the residents and staff over his more than 20 years of service. Ralph's greatest joy was spending time with family, riding a smooth walking horse, and watching a good all age bird dog run through the country at Field Trials. Funeral services will be held 12:0 p.m. Friday, September 14, 2018, at the Rocky Fork Fellowship in Hallsville, Mr. Bert Adams will officiate. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Higbee. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at Rocky Fork Fellowship on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or the Rocky Fork Fellowship, 12095 Route B, Hallsville, in care of Fenton Funeral Chapel, 104 S. Collier, Centralia, MO 65240. Online condolences may be left at www.fentonfuneralchapel.com