Ralph R. Anderson

Ralph R. Anderson, 79, of Kearney, died Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Kearney Evangelical Free Church. Pastor John Fowler will officiate. To honor his wishes, Ralph was cremated. Memorials are suggested to Kearney Evangelical Free Church or the Nebraska 4H Foundation. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is serving the family. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Ralph Robbins Anderson was born on August 29, 1937 in Genoa, Nebraska to Arthur E., Jr. and Cressa G. (Hutcheson) Anderson. He grew up in Genoa and graduated from Genoa High School in 1955. He then attended the University of Nebraska where he would earn a Bachelor’s of Science in 1960. Following graduation, he worked as an extension educator for the Cedar County Extension Office and later the Kimball-Banner County Extension Offices. In 1970 Ralph earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska. On September 20, 1970 he was united in marriage to Sharon L. Brothers in Dix, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Dix until moving to Genoa in 1974 where Ralph farmed with his brother, Ike. They moved to Kearney in 1984 where Ralph worked at the Buffalo County Extension Office. Mr. Anderson retired from the extension office in 2003 after 33 years, the last 19 with Buffalo County. During his career with the extension offices he was very active with the 4H program and enjoyed working with the equine participants and their horses. In retirement Ralph continued to help with 4H, but most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Ralph lived his life with a servant’s heart. He loved God and loved God’s people. Ralph was a member of the Kearney Evangelical Church, the Lions Club International, Gideons International and Kearney Noon Kiwanis. He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Kearney; two daughters, Debra Gloates and husband Steve of Pennsylvania and Megan Blazek and husband Nathan of Lincoln; a daughter-in-law, DeAnne Anderson of Lincoln; nine grandchildren, Cory Anderson, Briana Bartek and husband Nate, Joshua, Rachel, Ruth and Rebekah Gloates, and Madelyn, Presley and Rowan Blazek; a brother, Ike Anderson and wife Dorothy of Genoa; and three sisters, Nancy Obermeyer of Milford, Harriet Maser and husband David of Sutton and Gail Fischer and husband Chris of California. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Scott Anderson; and a grandson, Zachary Scott Anderson.

Ralph R. Anderson

August 29, 1937 - August 30, 2016