Ralph E. Ankenman passed away peacefully on March 22, 2012. Ralph was born in Wilsonville, Neb. on August 11, 1929, to Neil and Thelma Ankenman. After living between Nebraska and Kansas, the family moved to Idaho where Ralph graduated from Meridian High in 1947.
From there he went to work for the forest service until Uncle Sam found him and he was drafted into the Army. He was stationed at Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska. Ralph and seven others explored Alaska on foot for the army. Beginning at Kotzebue to Allakaket the mission was to see if there was potential of building another military base. He served as cook, photographer and kept a log book on the mission. It was so cold it froze the ink in his pen.
After his tour he then joined the army reserve 321st Battalion for two years where he worked maintenance for the National Guard, before transferring into to 115th Ordinance Company at Gowen Field. He retired with the rank of Master Sergeant after 31yrs of Military Service.
He married Leona J. Noltensmeier on Sept. 5th, 1954. Together they started a Dairy Farm just outside of Meridian. When the kids were old enough to hang on to the halters of their calves, Anka Gem Farm, with Registered Holsteins and Guernseys began.
He also took time to attend Utah State University and then became an AI Technician for Cache Valley/Select Sires. Ralph was an active supporter and eventually became the 4-H leader of the Locust Grove Wranglers. It was at the Locust Grove Grange where he held several offices. When the farm got too small, the folks bought a bigger place, southwest of New Plymouth. There Ralph was an active supporter of whatever the kids were into, from 4-H , FHA, FFA, and basketball. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and many farm organizations.
After he retired from the dairy he decided to work for Armours in 1987 and the folks moved to Middleton. Dad needed something else to keep him busy, so with the suggestion from his son he took up building pocket door frames for Franklin Building Supply. This kept him busy in the garage. Also during that time, he became the Dairy Barn Superintendent for Western Idaho Fair.
Dad very much enjoyed going to any game where his grandsons were playing and was their biggest supporter.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Leona, of 58 years; daughters, Arlene and Suzie; son, Ed (Thelma); grandsons, Don (Melissa), Phil (Jenniefer) and Tim; one very special great-granddaughter, Autumn; his sisters, Viva (Harry) Hutchens, in Hendley, NE, Lois (Charlie) Payton, in Boise, ID, Violet Alexander, in Boise; brother, Doyle (Linda) Ankenman, in John Day, OR;numerous nieces and nephews (who always wanted to help Uncle Ralph milk cows and do puzzles); and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one brother-in-law.
He will be interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
The family suggests donations be made to your favorite charity in Ralph's name.
A Celebration of Ralph's life for family and friends, will be held on Saturday March 31st, 2012 from 12 noon to 3pm at the Maple Grove Grange Hall. 11692 W President Dr. in Boise.
From there he went to work for the forest service until Uncle Sam found him and he was drafted into the Army. He was stationed at Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska. Ralph and seven others explored Alaska on foot for the army. Beginning at Kotzebue to Allakaket the mission was to see if there was potential of building another military base. He served as cook, photographer and kept a log book on the mission. It was so cold it froze the ink in his pen.
After his tour he then joined the army reserve 321st Battalion for two years where he worked maintenance for the National Guard, before transferring into to 115th Ordinance Company at Gowen Field. He retired with the rank of Master Sergeant after 31yrs of Military Service.
He married Leona J. Noltensmeier on Sept. 5th, 1954. Together they started a Dairy Farm just outside of Meridian. When the kids were old enough to hang on to the halters of their calves, Anka Gem Farm, with Registered Holsteins and Guernseys began.
He also took time to attend Utah State University and then became an AI Technician for Cache Valley/Select Sires. Ralph was an active supporter and eventually became the 4-H leader of the Locust Grove Wranglers. It was at the Locust Grove Grange where he held several offices. When the farm got too small, the folks bought a bigger place, southwest of New Plymouth. There Ralph was an active supporter of whatever the kids were into, from 4-H , FHA, FFA, and basketball. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and many farm organizations.
After he retired from the dairy he decided to work for Armours in 1987 and the folks moved to Middleton. Dad needed something else to keep him busy, so with the suggestion from his son he took up building pocket door frames for Franklin Building Supply. This kept him busy in the garage. Also during that time, he became the Dairy Barn Superintendent for Western Idaho Fair.
Dad very much enjoyed going to any game where his grandsons were playing and was their biggest supporter.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Leona, of 58 years; daughters, Arlene and Suzie; son, Ed (Thelma); grandsons, Don (Melissa), Phil (Jenniefer) and Tim; one very special great-granddaughter, Autumn; his sisters, Viva (Harry) Hutchens, in Hendley, NE, Lois (Charlie) Payton, in Boise, ID, Violet Alexander, in Boise; brother, Doyle (Linda) Ankenman, in John Day, OR;numerous nieces and nephews (who always wanted to help Uncle Ralph milk cows and do puzzles); and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one brother-in-law.
He will be interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
The family suggests donations be made to your favorite charity in Ralph's name.
A Celebration of Ralph's life for family and friends, will be held on Saturday March 31st, 2012 from 12 noon to 3pm at the Maple Grove Grange Hall. 11692 W President Dr. in Boise.
Ralph E. Ankenman passed away peacefully on March 22, 2012. Ralph was born in Wilsonville, Neb. on August 11, 1929, to Neil and Thelma Ankenman. After living between Nebraska and Kansas, the family moved to Idaho where Ralph graduated from Meridian High in 1947.
From there he went to work for the forest service until Uncle Sam found him and he was drafted into the Army. He was stationed at Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska. Ralph and seven others explored Alaska on foot for the army. Beginning at Kotzebue to Allakaket the mission was to see if there was potential of building another military base. He served as cook, photographer and kept a log book on the mission. It was so cold it froze the ink in his pen.
After his tour he then joined the army reserve 321st Battalion for two years where he worked maintenance for the National Guard, before transferring into to 115th Ordinance Company at Gowen Field. He retired with the rank of Master Sergeant after 31yrs of Military Service.
He married Leona J. Noltensmeier on Sept. 5th, 1954. Together they started a Dairy Farm just outside of Meridian. When the kids were old enough to hang on to the halters of their calves, Anka Gem Farm, with Registered Holsteins and Guernseys began.
He also took time to attend Utah State University and then became an AI Technician for Cache Valley/Select Sires. Ralph was an active supporter and eventually became the 4-H leader of the Locust Grove Wranglers. It was at the Locust Grove Grange where he held several offices. When the farm got too small, the folks bought a bigger place, southwest of New Plymouth. There Ralph was an active supporter of whatever the kids were into, from 4-H , FHA, FFA, and basketball. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and many farm organizations.
After he retired from the dairy he decided to work for Armours in 1987 and the folks moved to Middleton. Dad needed something else to keep him busy, so with the suggestion from his son he took up building pocket door frames for Franklin Building Supply. This kept him busy in the garage. Also during that time, he became the Dairy Barn Superintendent for Western Idaho Fair.
Dad very much enjoyed going to any game where his grandsons were playing and was their biggest supporter.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Leona, of 58 years; daughters, Arlene and Suzie; son, Ed (Thelma); grandsons, Don (Melissa), Phil (Jenniefer) and Tim; one very special great-granddaughter, Autumn; his sisters, Viva (Harry) Hutchens, in Hendley, NE, Lois (Charlie) Payton, in Boise, ID, Violet Alexander, in Boise; brother, Doyle (Linda) Ankenman, in John Day, OR;numerous nieces and nephews (who always wanted to help Uncle Ralph milk cows and do puzzles); and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one brother-in-law.
He will be interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
The family suggests donations be made to your favorite charity in Ralph's name.
A Celebration of Ralph's life for family and friends, will be held on Saturday March 31st, 2012 from 12 noon to 3pm at the Maple Grove Grange Hall. 11692 W President Dr. in Boise.
From there he went to work for the forest service until Uncle Sam found him and he was drafted into the Army. He was stationed at Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska. Ralph and seven others explored Alaska on foot for the army. Beginning at Kotzebue to Allakaket the mission was to see if there was potential of building another military base. He served as cook, photographer and kept a log book on the mission. It was so cold it froze the ink in his pen.
After his tour he then joined the army reserve 321st Battalion for two years where he worked maintenance for the National Guard, before transferring into to 115th Ordinance Company at Gowen Field. He retired with the rank of Master Sergeant after 31yrs of Military Service.
He married Leona J. Noltensmeier on Sept. 5th, 1954. Together they started a Dairy Farm just outside of Meridian. When the kids were old enough to hang on to the halters of their calves, Anka Gem Farm, with Registered Holsteins and Guernseys began.
He also took time to attend Utah State University and then became an AI Technician for Cache Valley/Select Sires. Ralph was an active supporter and eventually became the 4-H leader of the Locust Grove Wranglers. It was at the Locust Grove Grange where he held several offices. When the farm got too small, the folks bought a bigger place, southwest of New Plymouth. There Ralph was an active supporter of whatever the kids were into, from 4-H , FHA, FFA, and basketball. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and many farm organizations.
After he retired from the dairy he decided to work for Armours in 1987 and the folks moved to Middleton. Dad needed something else to keep him busy, so with the suggestion from his son he took up building pocket door frames for Franklin Building Supply. This kept him busy in the garage. Also during that time, he became the Dairy Barn Superintendent for Western Idaho Fair.
Dad very much enjoyed going to any game where his grandsons were playing and was their biggest supporter.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Leona, of 58 years; daughters, Arlene and Suzie; son, Ed (Thelma); grandsons, Don (Melissa), Phil (Jenniefer) and Tim; one very special great-granddaughter, Autumn; his sisters, Viva (Harry) Hutchens, in Hendley, NE, Lois (Charlie) Payton, in Boise, ID, Violet Alexander, in Boise; brother, Doyle (Linda) Ankenman, in John Day, OR;numerous nieces and nephews (who always wanted to help Uncle Ralph milk cows and do puzzles); and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one brother-in-law.
He will be interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
The family suggests donations be made to your favorite charity in Ralph's name.
A Celebration of Ralph's life for family and friends, will be held on Saturday March 31st, 2012 from 12 noon to 3pm at the Maple Grove Grange Hall. 11692 W President Dr. in Boise.
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