Obituary of Ralph Leonard Digman

Ralph L. Digman, 85, of Dyersville, Iowa died Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Shady Rest Care Center, Cascade, Iowa. Friends called from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, November 16, 2014, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service was held at 2:00 p.m., a Knights of Columbus Rosary was recited at 5:00 p.m. and an American Legion Service was held at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 17, 2014, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery where military honors were accorded by American Legion Post 137. Rev. Dennis Quint officiated. Lector was Kari Krogman and Cookie Scherrman and giftbearers were Joyce Davidshofer and Mary Kay McDonald. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Knights of Columbus, Bard co-workers represented by Fritz Mescher, Don Lueck, Dale Mescher, Roger Mescher, Ray Olberding, Paul Thier, Alfie Meyers and Denny Thier. Pallbearers were Dave, Dan, Bob, Tom, Kenny Digman, Eric Sutton, Roger Oberbroeckling and Randy Harter. Ralph was born December 20, 1928, in Dyersville, Iowa the son of Anton and Mary (Teschler) Digman. He served in the Army in 1951 and was discharged from the Reserves in 1956. He married Alice Ann Harter on September 8, 1953, in Petersburg. Together they farmed for about 16 years and moved to town. Ralph also worked for Bard Concrete as a materials driver for 32 years, retiring in 2000. Ralph was a member of the American Legion Post 137 and the Knights of Columbus Council 1734. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Alice, his children: Barb Davidshofer of New Vienna, David Digman and Robert Digman, both of Earlville, Daniel Digman and Dianne Digman, both of Elgin, TX, Lisa Sutton of Bennett, Susan Dunkel of Dyersville, Kenneth Digman of Winchester, MA, Carolee Beohm and Sally Digman, both of Earlville, and Tom Digman of Luxemburg; 24 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; in-law: Jane and Pete Oberbroeckling, Dorothy Ludwig, Elmer and Connie Harter, Joe and Joan Harter, Clara Harter and Verna Lee Digman He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons: James in 1999 and Steven in 2007; 2 brothers, John Digman and Edward Digman, a sister, Helen (Eugene) Steffensmeier, his parents-in-law, Serenus and Mathilda Harter, and a brothers-in-law, Henry Harter and Bill Ludwig. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.