Ralph Betterley Obituary (1912 - 2005)

RALPH E. BETTERLEY Ralph Edward Betterley, age 92, of Menomonie, WI passed away Thursday, June 30, 2005 at Dunn County Health Care Center in Menomonie. Ralph's dear wife Jane preceded him in death just three weeks prior on June 9th. Ralph was born on November 10, 1912 in Medford, Oregon to Joseph and Clara (Abel) Betterley. He attended elementary school in Elmwood, Wisconsin and graduated from Elmwood High School in 1931. He continued his education at U.W. Stout and earned a B.S. Degree in Industrial Education in 1935. Following college, Ralph held teaching positions in both Oklahoma City and Kansas City, Kansas and began to pursue his Masters Degree. Ralph returned to Menomonie and Stout and continued on in Graduate School. It was then that he met the love of his life, Jane Ecke, a Stout undergrad. Ralph and Jane were married on Dec. 19, 1942. Before he could finish his degree work, his skills in the metal trades led to a job teaching aviation metal- smithing at Navy Pier in Chicago with the U.S. Navy Department. In 1944, Ralph was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Navy. His naval tour spanned between 1944 and 1946, and he served as Captain of a destroyer escort vessel. Returning to Menomonie, Ralph earned his M.S. Degree in Industrial Education from Stout and then taught at Stout for six years. In 1952, Ralph and Jane and family moved to Evanston, Illinois where he taught Industrial Engineering at Northwestern University. While at Northwestern, Ralph was active in planning and designing equipment used by the Atomic Energy Commission. He also designed and fabricated water-cooled gas analysis jet engine research probes for General Electric. In 1957, Ralph became the Director of Education for the American Foundrymens Society. He remained in this position for twenty years until his retirement and continued on as a part time consultant. Ralph was honored in 1973 by receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Stout. In 1987, he also received the National Director's Award at the International Castings Congress. Following retirement in 1980 Ralph and Jane moved back to Menomonie. They wintered in Bradenton, Florida for twelve years. Ralph was best known for his musicianship, wonderful sense of humor, and love of trout fishing. As a drummer, he played with the White Star Dance Orchestra aboard a Cunard European bound ship for three summers. For many years he sang tenor with the barbershop quartet the Shoreliners in Evanston, and he sang in many church and community choirs in both Evanston and Menomonie. An avid trout fisherman, he loved the local streams in and around Menomonie. His sense of humor was contagious, and it remained amazing right up to the end. Ralph is survived by: Two daughters Nancy (Mike) Maxwell of Mission Viejo, CA Ann (Jim) Donia of St. Charles, IL Five grandchildren, Jennie Maxwell of San Diego, CA Caroline (Serge) Gudowski of Mission Viejo, CA Lindy Donia of Nashville, TN Joey Donia of Des Moines, IA Luke Donia of St. Charles, IL He is also survived by his sister, Ruth (Lawrence Bock) of Spring Valley, WI A sister-in-law, Alice Betterley of Iowa City, IA And nephews, Jeff (Nona) Bock of River Falls, David (Lori) Bock of Minong, WI, and Rich (Peggy) Betterley of Boynton Beach, FL He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jane, his parents, his brother Melvin Betterley, his half brother Vernice Schill, nephew Joe Betterley, and granddaughter Melanie Jane Donia. .continued. The family wishes to give thanks to Ralph and Jane's very special and supportive relatives and friends. Please know that your loving attention to both our mom and dad is greatly appreciated. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 9, 2005 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Menomonie, with Rev. Rob MacDougall and Rev. Maynard Larson officiating. Family and friends are welcome at the church from 1:00 PM until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Menomonie with military honors by Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or the U.W. Stout Foundation. Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie is in charge of arrangements.