Franklin Donald Ralph

Franklin Donald Ralph passed away in his sleep, Thursday, May 27, 2010, at age 95, at Heartland Country Village in Black Earth.

Franklin Donald Ralph was born on Feb. 27, 1915, in Cuba City, to parents, Franklin and Mary Amelia (Gibson) Ralph. Donald moved to Lancaster in 1920 and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1933, where he played varsity basketball and made memories that lasted his entire life. Donald earned a degree in education from UW-Platteville Teachers College in 1937. He married his high school sweetheart, Dolores M. Lacke, on Sept. 2, 1939, after dating for eight years.

Donald taught at the Budworth School in rural Grant County near Slabtown for two years before transferring to Greendale Elementary in Greendale for three years. During World War II, Franklin was trained to teach soldiers how to use the latest radio equipment and taught at Truax Field for a year before he transferred to Badger Ordinance in Baraboo, where he oversaw the mixing of the gunpowder. After World War II, Franklin lived in Madison and taught at Franklin Elementary School for 32 years. Franklin and his wife, Dolores, retired and moved to rural Mazomanie in 1977, where Dolores resides today.

Donald raised champion beagles for show and field trial for 40 years and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed animals such as miniature horses, birds and much more. There were always many things to see and do for the kids when they visited.

Franklin is survived by his wife, Dolores (Lakey) Ralph of 71 years; his close cousin, George E. Heathcote Jr. and his wife, Melinda and their children, Rose, George III, Elizabeth, Ann, and Gibson of rural Mazomanie; and his close cousin, G. Joe Johnson and his wife, Dawn and their children, Christian Joseph and Caleb James of Onalaska.

Donald was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Dr. George Gibson Ralph, DDS.

Donald will be missed by family and friends.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 4, 2010, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with visitation from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. An open house will follow at the home of George and Melinda Heathcote from 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Heartland Country Village in Black Earth for their love and care for Donald over the past five and a half years.