Ralph J. Lickteig

Ralph J. Lickteig, age 91, of Merriam, Kansas, died Thursday, August 9, 2012, at Trinity Nursing and Rehab Center in Merriam, Kansas.

Ralph was born on March 15, 1921, in Greeley, Kansas, the youngest of fourteen children of Jacob Lickteig and Mary Catherine "Kate" (List) Lickteig. He grew up on the family farm near Greeley and attended St. John the Baptist Elementary School and graduated from Greeley High School in 1940. Ralph served in the U.S. Army during WWII from January 1942-January 1946. He was a battery clerk for a field artillery unit serving time in London, France, and Germany. Before and after the Army, Ralph worked for seven years at Otten Poultry and Eggs in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1951, he began working for the Santa Fe Railroad in Kansas City, Kansas, and retired in 1981.

Ralph was united in marriage to Ilo E. Howard on October 10, 1947, in St. Joseph, Missouri. They lived in Kansas City, Kansas, and Overland Park, Kansas, all their lives and loved helping, hosting, and entertaining family and friends. Ralph and Ilo enjoyed playing cards, square dancing, country music, traveling, and American Legion functions.

Ralph belonged to Holy Cross Catholic Church in Overland Park, Kansas. He was a member of the VFW and very active n the American Legion Post 346 and 327. He served as Vice District commander, 1983-1984 and District Commander, 1984-1985, and was the Director of American Legion Boys State (Kansas) in 1985, 1986 and 1987. Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing, the Royals, and was an accomplished furniture refinisher.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Frank, Leonard, Jack, Ike, Frederick, Maurice and Leon; six sisters, Tillie Rommelfanger, Mary Desmond, Anna Otten, Gertrude Martin, Dorothy Kittinger, and Florence Rooth; and one sister-in-law, Irene LeMaster.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ilo of Merriam, Kansas; sisters-in-law, Florence Lickteig of Greeley, Kansas, Gladys Howard of St. Joseph, Missouri, Betty Kramer, Shawnee, Kansas, Carol Willis of Kansas City, Missouri, Bess Michaelson and husband Ron of Leawood, Kansas, Patsy Melton of Overland Park, Kansas, Cathy Worley and husband, Ken of Kansas City, Missouri; brothers-in-law John Howard and wife, Mary of Marysville, Kansas, Robert Howard and wife, Carlyn of St. Joseph, Missouri; special niece, Dottie Lickteig, Overland Park, Kansas; and many other loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 12, 2012, at the Amos Family Funeral Home and Crematory, with recitation of the Rosary at 5:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 13, 2012, at Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas. Burial immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66202.