Helane Ralph

"Son, I'm chasing three men and two of them don't know their own name."~ Helane at 94.

Helane Ralph, 96, died Saturday, June 2, 2007 in Brewster Place Retirement Community where she had lived for 20 years.

She was born January 9, 1911 in Verona, MO, to William Riley and Thyra Wilks. After graduation from Lindenwood College in St. Charles she was employed in the lumber business in Verona where she met C. Russell Ralph. They were married on November 24, 1935, and moved to Topeka in 1941 where he developed a business in highway and bridge construction. He died in 1985.

Mrs. Ralph was a renowned Westboro Wheelwright, Top Hat in the Easter Parade, and a nonpareil pilot of the hang-gliding church. She is survived by the open field, this house of sky, high rocking cradle of the Flint Hills, and one great grand mischief. A memorial may be raised at the Blind Tiger. Arrangements are with Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.