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Benny Ralfs
1924 - 2025
BORN
1924
DIED
2025
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Benny Ralfs Obituary
August 14, 1924 - September 30, 2025
Benny J. Ralfs, 101, of Davenport, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Ridgecrest.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by a Masonic Service, at The Runge Mortuary. Services will be in the Koning Chapel at Ridgecrest on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., with a visitation preceding at 9:30 a.m. His final resting place will be at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may go to the St. Mark Lutheran Church or the Shriner's Hospital for Children.
Benny was born in Davenport on August 14, 1924, the son of Ben and Brunhilda (Willers) Ralfs. He graduated from Davenport High School in 1942. He served in the US Army as a Staff Sergeant during WWII (1943-1946) in both the European and Pacific Theaters. He later was active in the US Army OBAM reunion group. He married his sweetheart, Velma R. Hamann, on September 6, 1947, in Davenport. She passed away on November 8, 2009.
He worked as a draftsman for Davenport Besler Corporation and Davenport Machine and Foundry. He later worked as a project engineer at John Deere Foundry in Silvis, retiring in 1982.
His memberships included: St. Mark Lutheran Church, Brubaker Masonic Lodge #675, as a 33rd Degree Mason, Scottish Rite Bodies, Davenport York Rite Bodies, Snow Lodge (LeClaire), Mohassan Grotto, Davenport Elks Club, VFW Post #828, German American Heritage Society, and the Northwest Davenport Turners.
In his free time, Benny loved golfing, bowling, and the music of the big band era. He frequently woke up at 4:30 a.m. to study electronic coursework which allowed him to enjoy tinkering with various electronic items and fixing those for family and friends.
Those left to honor his memory include his children: Nancy (Dr. Richard) Perkins, Iowa City, Iowa; David Ralfs, Davenport, Iowa; Jeanine (Terry) Miller, Urbandale, Iowa; Douglas Ralfs, Davenport, Iowa; and Lisa (Brian) Betts, Iowa; eight grandchildren; six great- grandsons; a nephew; two great-nephews and a great-great-nephew.
In addition to his wife and parents, Benny was preceded in death by a brother and his wife, Herbert and Roberta Ralfs; and a nephew, Tom Ralfs.
Runge Mortuary & Crematory
838 E. Kimberly Rd Davenport, IA 52807
563-391-6202
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Benny Ralfs
Sponsored by The Runge Mortuary and Crematory.
1 Entry
Russ & PJ Freund
October 3, 2025
Doug & Family,
My parents Dick & Judy Smith were Benny's neighbor at Ridgecrest. I had the opportunity to meet you and your Dad at the monthly birthday celebration the first week my parents moved in to Ridgecrest.
It was always nice to get to see your Dad during times we were visiting my parents. Benny would be sitting in a chair near the elevators enjoying his breakfast donuts. He always had a smile for us and that made us smile.
We're truly thankful for having gotten to know your Dad. We pray that your faith in our Lord and Savior will be a source of comfort to you and your family during these difficult times.
Deepest Sympathies,
PJ & Russ Freund
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Funeral services provided by:
The Runge Mortuary and Crematory838 East Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52807
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