Ralph Lee Speas
Ralph Speas Dies At Chadron
Ralph Lee Speas, 58, rancher of Sioux County, died at the Crest View Manor Nursing Home in Chadron on September 15 following a lengthy illness.
He was born to Clarence and Lillie Fuller Speas on May 12, 1912, at Nowood, Wyo. When he was a small child, the family moved to Montana. In the early 30's the family moved back to Sioux County and in 1938 the family moved on the old John Speas place where Ralph and his father farmed.
On October 24, 1943, he married Betty Jean Ostermeyer at Crawford. Five children were born.
On June 15, 1963, due to serious illness, Ralph entered the hospital at Norfolk where he was baptized in the Christian faith and confirmed in the Lutheran Church on December 9, 1965.
On July 7, 1970, he transferred to Gra-Mar Nursing Home at Scottsbluff. On August 10, 1970 he was transferred to Crest View Manor Nursing Home at Chadron.
Survivors include his widow, Betty; one son, Ralph Lee Speas Jr. of Crawford; two sets of twin daughters, Sema Jean Vik of Newcastle, Wyo., and Sara Jane Johnson of Alliance, and Linda Sue Pierce of Alliance and Lillian Agnes Larsen of Chadron; two brothers, Emery Gorman of Salinas, Calif., and John Speas of Hermosa, S.D.; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services were held Friday at 10 a.m. in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The Rev. Thomas C. Jacobsen officiated and burial was in the Crawford Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Art Zarek, Everett Doolittle, Milo Saxton, John Monasmith, Bobby Richardson and Earl Raum.