Ralph Henry Kreisel, Sr., age 96, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Sedalia. He was born August 10, 1920, near Cole Camp in Benton County, MO to Fred Jacob and Henrietta Brauer Kreisel.
On November 30, 1939, Ralph married Helen Strelow, and they celebrated 75 years of marriage with their family in 2014. They resided together until Helen’s death in 2015. Ralph and Helen have three living children: Bill Kreisel, Blue Springs; Sandra Fleak, Kirksville; and Deann Crockett, Branson West. Their son Ralph Kreisel, Jr. died in 2016.
Ralph served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the Pacific aboard the LSM 433. He was a member of American Legion Post 16 and then Post 0642.
In the 1930s, Ralph along with his father and brother founded Sedalia Fruit Company, a wholesale company that they operated for forty years. Afterwards, Ralph and Helen moved to a farm where Ralph continued to reside until his recent illness.
Ralph lovingly cared for his wife and children and extended family. He loved living on the farm, vegetable gardening, fishing, socializing over card games, spending time in his woodworking shop, and working on his Model T. He was a member of the Model A Club. He was baptized and confirmed in his Christian faith and was a faithful member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. From childhood he was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for many years, where he served on the board of trustees and was a handyman.
Survivors include the three children as well as nine grandchildren: William Kreisel, Jr. and April Conner, Tucson, AZ; Elizabeth Kreisel, Independence; Halena Smith, Kelly Miller, and Katie Sisemore, Sedalia; Lewis Fleak, St. Peters; Maranda Garcia, Las Vegas, NV; Abigail Crockett, Monett. Also surviving are nine great-grandchldren; a brother, James Kreisel, Yakima, WA; Helen’s sister-in-law, Edna Strelow; and twelve nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, wife, and son, Ralph was preceded in death by four siblings: Eugene Kreisel, Pearl Finley, Dorthy Pfeiffer, and Ruth Garrison.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Chris Kellogg and the Rev. Andrew Tessone officiating.
Casket bearers will be Lewis Fleak, Joey Klein, David High, Myron McNeal, Mike Strelow and Justin Strelow.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military honors by the U.S. Navy and VFW Post 2591.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Heckart Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Our Savior Lutheran Church Radio Ministry.