Ralph Germann, 94, died Sunday, December 17, 2023, at his home in Garden City, Kansas. He was born September 6, 1929, in Clifton, Kansas, the son of Howard & Mae (Surprenant) Germann.
Ralph grew up with his family South of Clifton, Kansas where he attended schools and graduated from high school in Clay Center, KS. He was a lifelong Kansas State Wildcat through and through. His closet clothes were sorted by Purple, and All Other. He obtained his BS and MS degrees in Animal Husbandry from Kansas State University. Ralph served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. On May 3, 1953, he married Marilyn Wade in Iola, Kansas. They later moved to Garden City from Jetmore in 1968 and have lived in Garden City since. Ralph was employed for 10 years as a County and 4H Agent in Hodgeman County, KS, and 38 years as a KSU Extension Economist with Farm Management in Garden City. Over the years he served in numerous voluntary board roles, mostly in the role of Treasurer due to his extensive accounting experience. These include Kiwanis Board, Garden City Community Concert Board, Methodist Men’s Board, Methodist Youth Ville Board, and Western Kansas Community Foundation Board. Additionally, Ralph served the First United Methodist Church in numerous lay leadership roles, including Board of Trustees member and sang in the church choir for many years. He also volunteered as the Emmaus House Tax Accountant.
Ralph loved spending his time with his children and grandchildren and attending their various events, programs, and competitions. He always enjoyed a German family reunion and a lively game of Carrom. He loved watching football games and had season tickets to GCHS football games for many years and loved attending KSU Football games. Traveling was a big part of his life. He and Marilyn traveled all over the country and many places around the world. He also enjoyed gardening and maintaining a beautiful yard.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Marilyn Germann of the home; four children Dennis & wife Sherry Germann of Salem, IN, Debbie Bradstreet of Goddard, KS, David & wife Vicki Germann of Garden City, KS, and Doug & wife Janice Germann of Georgetown, TX; a brother Ed & wife Janet Germann of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren Evan & wife Jenny Germann, Lexi Germann, Hanna Brown, Dustin & wife Kelly Bradstreet, Derrick & wife Molly Bradstreet, Scott & wife Alaina Germann, Clayton Holub, Amanda & husband David Donahoe, Megan & husband Kyle Miller, & Mitchell Germann; and great-grandchildren Matilda Germann, Thatcher Germann, Dominick Coleman, Malik Coleman, Lanie Sanders, Colt Bradstreet, Coy Bradstreet, Kynslee Holub, & Caydence Ginther.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents Howard & Mae Germann; his stepmother Adeline Garmann; a son Darin Germann; son-in-law Mike Bradstreet; granddaughter Caroline Germann; father-in-law and mother-in-law Howard & Esther Wade; and his siblings Don & wife Joan Germann, Duane Germann, Dee Germann, & Elizabeth & husband Glenn Meredith; and sister-in-law Delores Germann.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City with Rev. Jim Akins officiating. The service may be viewed on Facebook Live on the Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City with military graveside rites conducted by the Southwest Kansas area Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Garnand Funeral Home and the family will be at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday to visit with friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials given to the First United Methodist Church or to Methodist Youth Ville, both in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.