Ralph David Hasenauer, 66, passed away on May 13th, 2017 at Madonna Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln after a long and courageous fight.
Ralph was born on November 28th, 1950 to Emil and Mabel (Pace) Hasenauer in North Platte, Nebraska. Ralph grew up on the home farm west of Wellfleet graduating from Maywood High School in 1970. The home farm would become his home place and his place of tranquility.
Ralph worked for the Union Pacific Railroad while attending college at Mid Plains Community College. Being the hardworking man he was, Ralph decided his dad needed his help at home so he returned home.
Ralph took pride in living in the same place for 66 years. He was a simple man who had a love for the land, a love for his animals and a love for his family. Ralph lived life in the fast lane as a racecar driver at the Lincoln County Raceway for a few years. He enjoyed having his nieces and nephews around to hunt and fish saving them best fishing hole or hunting spot. He had an eye for antiques that sometimes found their way home with him. Ralph also enjoyed his antique tractors traveling all over to show off how tough his tractor was at the antique tractor pulls, especially his LA Case. He was a member of the Platte Valley Tractor Pullers Association. Ralph was an avid Husker fan. He was always good for a post-game analysis and was quick to point out what the Huskers needed to do different. Going to a Husker game was always something he wanted to do. Ralph was also a member of the Wellfleet Methodist Church. He lived a life with lots of work, took time for fun and had the admiration of his friends and family. Ralph didn't know a stranger.
Ralph was preceded in death by his father, Emil Hasenauer; his grandparents, Charlie and Beulah Pace, and Max and Emma Hasenauer.
He is survived by his mother, Mabel of North Platte; brothers, Dick (Glenda) Hasenauer of North Platte, Art (Kris) Hasenauer, Howard (Ruth) Hasenauer of Wellfleet and Moses (Loretta) Hasenauer of Cheyenne Wyoming; sisters, Randa (Toby) Tobiasson of North Platte, Elna (Garry) Krueger of Springfield, NE and Edie Hasenauer of Central City, NE; he is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and all of his special nieces and nephews and his very special canine companion, Betsy.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Services will be 10:30 am Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in North Platte. Burial will immediately follow the services at the Wellfleet Cemetery.
Since Ralph was a man of simple things the family requests that attendees wear casual attire or
Husker gear.
Online condolences may be share at
www.carpentermemorial.com
. A memorial has been established in Ralph's name for the Lincoln County Historical Museum.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.
