Ralph Hunter

1932 - 2025

Ralph Franklin Hunter was born February 11, 1932 in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin. He passed away on November 8, 2025 at his home in Shelley, Idaho at the age of 93. Dad was born to Glenn Dean Hunter and Clara Philomena Janisch Hunter. He joined his older sister, Colleen. The family would later welcome Melvin, Rexford, Wanda, Bernard, Eugene, Gordon, Delores, Doris, Linda, and Clarice.

Dad's growing up years were hard. Life on a small farm was difficult and there were lots of mouths to feed. He started working for neighbors when he was 9 years old. He worked hard and learned a work ethic that lasted his entire life.

Dad's formal education concluded just 3 months into ninth grade. He has worked full time since then and never really retired. He left Wisconsin at 17 to go to North Dakota to find work. He worked several different jobs, including driving gravel truck and picking potatoes. He and his buddies would go from farm to farm looking for work.

During this time the Korean War started and Dad received a draft notice. He was given 30 days to sign up or he would be assigned to a service. He chose to go into the Navy. He received an Honorable discharge on February 19, 1955.

Dad moved to Roberts, Idaho and worked in a service station. It was at the service station that he met Loma Christine Albertson. They were married June 22, 1956. After their marriage, they moved to Dubois, Idaho, where Dad worked in construction and started logging. In 1963, they moved to Shelley. Dad worked as a mechanic and started a timber yard. Mom and Dad worked together logging, building potato cellars and raising six children. As the children grew up, they also helped in the family business and all learned to work hard. Dad never retired and could still be found out in the yard puttering on something up until a short time ago when he was just worn out.

Dad is survived by his wife of 69 years, Christine, his children, Debra, Jeffry (Jennifer), Troy (Jennifer), Dustin (Pam) and Ryan (Kristi), daughter-in-law Jeanette, 19 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren with one more on the way, 2 great-great grandchildren and sisters Linda and Clarice. He was preceded in death by one son, Kevin.

We want to thank Dr. Brad Erickson, Hailey, Shannon, Cassie, and Amy from Brio and April and Miriam from the Gables for the wonderful care they provided and the friendships they developed with Dad.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W Oak Street, Shelley. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 p.m. and Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. till 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with military rites.

Those who would like to participate in the funeral service remotely are invited to view the service on a live broadcast on Nalder Funeral Home's Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to The Salvation Army. Dad credits that organization for the influence it had on his life when a volunteer gave him some advice that he never forgot.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.nalderfuneralhome.com.