Ralph Richard Banderet, 86, of Ogallala, NE, passed away Monday, January 27, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, NE.
Ralph was born August 28, 1927, to Harry R. and Ella Welch Banderet on the family farm near Elsie, NE in Perkins County. He attended school at Elsie Rural School from kindergarten through the 7th grade then attended Paxton High School until 11th grade. Ralph quit school in 1945 to join the U.S. Navy during W.W.II. He served on two ships, the USS Wasach and the USS Lassen, and earned the rank of Fireman 2nd Class. Ralph was awarded the Victory Medal and the Service Medal (also known as “The Ruptured Duck”). He was honorably discharged in 1946.
When Ralph returned home he met Barbara Lea Kail Anderson. They married in 1947 and lived in Paxton. After trying to work for the Union Pacific Railroad for a year as a Fireman he moved to California. The family lived in La Crescenta, CA until 1968 when he and Barbara divorced. In June 1969, Ralph married Anna Maria Geiger.
Ralph was a member of the Elks in California and Clampers.
Survivors include his sons, Riley Banderet, of Fresno, CA and Roger Banderet, of Ogallala; a daughter, Mary (Fred) Williams, of Great Falls, ND; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; a sister, MaryBelle (Bud) Perball, of Wichita, KS; and many nieces, nephews and other family.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Maria; his parents, Harry and Ella; two brothers, Francis (Nana) and Vincent; and two sisters, Dorothy (Robert) Campbell and Ruth Hayes.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Gary Smith officiating. Ralph’s cremains will be placed in the El Camino Memorial Park Columbarium in San Diego, CA at a later date. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Ralph’s great niece, Chelcie “Shorty” Baumfalk.