Ralph Colfack, Jr. was born on February 14, 1947 in Ewing, Nebraska, the son of Ralph Colfack, Sr. and Audrey Marie (Klinetobe) Colfack. Ralph entered into eternal rest on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.
His early years were spent in the community of Ewing until he was three years old. The family then moved to Albion, Nebraska where he lived until he was a Freshman in high school. His remaining high school years were spent in Belgrade, Nebraska. In November of 1963 he was called into active duty with the United States Navy. He served on the destroyer ship the USS Henley until he was honorably discharged in December of 1967. Ralph later served his country in the United States Army during the Desert Storm war.
On June 4, 1967 he was united in marriage to Elynn E. Miller in Clarks, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Grand Island, Nebraska. The family was completed with the birth of their two daughters, Marty Lynn and Brenda Lee. Ralph and Elynn were blessed with 57 years of marriage.
During his working years Ralph worked at Silar Mason Army Ammunition plant, worked in electrical wholesale for Crescent and American Electric and finally was in charge of the scanning division of Hewlett Packard. When he was not working, he supported and belonged to the American Legion, Elks Club, Rotary Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the United Methodist church.
Ralph had a passion for classic cars. He owned a 1965 Chevelle SS that he took to many car shows. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and genealogy . He assisted in coaching t-ball and football for area youth when the couple lived in Phoenix. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and the many memories they made.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph, Sr. and Audrey Colfack; sister-in-law Judy Colfack; brother-in-law Don Blair; and mother and father-in-law Elsie and Elmer Miller. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Elynn Colfack; daughters Marty Lynn Durrant and husband Wade and Brenda Lee Krueger and husband Jeff; grandchildren Haley Ashton Browning, Hunter Michael Browning, Tyler Jeffery Krueger and wife Rindy and Andrew Robert Krueger; 2 great-grandchildren Landon Michael and Ashlynn Grace; siblings Dan Colfack, Janelle Blair, Sherry Scamehorn and Dave Colfack; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
A funeral service for Ralph will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:30 AM, at the Oakland United Methodist Church in Oakland. Visitation with the family will take place one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery at Oakland. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family with arrangements..
