Ralph. W. Troll, age 66, of Kiester, died Monday, March 10, 2003, at his home in Kiester.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 14, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. The Rev. Richard Steffen will officiate. Visitation will be at the Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Interment following cremation will take place at Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery, Kiester.

He was born Sept. 9, 1936, in Kiester Township, the son of Carl H. and Louise (Backhus) Troll.

He graduated from Kiester High School in 1954.

He married Sonja Peterson on Sept. 12, 1958; they were later divorced. On Oct. 28, 1989, he married Verla (Wilson) Alphs in Kiester.

Ralph was a life long resident of the Kiester area, where he farmed until 1984. He drove truck for Simonson/Styers Transportation until 1987, and also drove school bus for several years. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and had served on the church council, had served on the Kiester Township Board, and was an active member of the Kiester Lions Club. Ralph enjoyed golf, fishing, anything &uot;John Deere&uot; and especially his dog, Willie.

He is survived by his wife, Verla of Kiester; one son, Kelly (wife Doris) Troll of Kiester; one stepdaughter, Jolynn (husband Les) Bloomingdale of Kiester; two stepsons: Jerry (wife Gloria) Alphs of Kiester, and Steven Alphs of Kiester; eight step-grandchildren: Jenny, Brooke, and Breanna Bloomingdale, Brandon, Ashley, Jordon and Preston Alphs, and Nick Alphs; and several surviving relatives in Germany.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one uncle, Christ Troll.