Ralph Henry Goeglein Sr.

Ralph Henry Goeglein Sr. (77) of Yuma, CO passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love and family on August 1, 2021.  Ralph was born on November 18, 1943 in Yuma, CO. to Henry and Edna (Yost) Goeglein.  He grew up on the family farm outside of Yuma with his parents and joining them in 1949, brother Clarence.  He became a farmer at a young age, always helping and working with his dad.  He went to St. John’s Lutheran Church and was baptized December 19, 1943 and confirmed in the faith April 17, 1957.  His confirmation verse was “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” Rev. 2:10.  He kept his faith all his life.  He attended Yuma schools and graduated from Yuma High School in 1961.  He attended college at Colorado State University, until it became evident that he needed to come back and help dad with the farming operation.  He was drafted into the US Army in 1968 to fight in the Vietnam War, where he served as a Reconnaissance Specialist until he was honorably discharged.  He received the Purple Heart Award, Vietnam Service Metal, Service Star, Combat Infantry Badge and a Bronze Star Metal. He never talked about his time there or his awards.

He met his sweetheart, Sharon Salomonson, and married her in 1979.  From this union he gracefully inherited and helped raise six step-children.  On August 4, 1980 he welcomed his son, Ralph Jr., followed by his daughter Rosalynne (Rosie) on August 23, 1983. 

Ralph had a love for farming and working the land and continued to successfully farm all his life.  Ralph, along with brother, Clarence, were big and successful sugar beet growers in the early years and were often recognized. In 1976 they received the Top Sugar Beet Producers award.  In 1986 he also started to work with Gail McCauley farming and working cattle until 2014, when he retired.  Though he retired, he was still a farmer at heart and enjoyed and stayed involved in the farming operations and watching his son-in-law and daughter farm and work his ground.  He was a very devoted and proud father and grandfather and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them, and supporting and watching them in any and all events.  Ralph was a simple, kind and humble man and was known for and often found with, a smile for anyone.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Edna, as well as many cousins.  Ralph is survived by Sharon, daughter, Rosalynne (Terry) Spielmann, son Ralph Jr (Elizabeth) Goeglein, step-children Deanna Cortez, Angela Hewitt, Sharyl (Roger) Matthews, Kristy Hewitt, and Kathy Hewitt; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brother, Clarence, and many cousins, other relatives and friends. 

A celebration of life for Ralph will be held Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma with Reverend Dennis FitzPatrick officiating, interment will follow at the Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.   

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