Ralph E. Soelzer, 84, Spearfish, died Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

He was born in Sturgis, SD, on July 17, 1930. He was the son of Guido and Lois (McFarland) Soelzer. He attended rural school in Meade County and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1948. He attended South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City for one year and then graduated from SDSU in Brookings, SD.

Ralph farmed and ranched in south central Meade County. In 1965, he started teaching in rural schools in Meade County. After two years of teaching in the rural school, he taught sixth grade math and science in Sturgis. He continued in that position until his retirement in 1986.

After retirement, he and his wife, Marilyn, moved to Rapid City. They spent six months in Rapid City and six months in Mesa, AZ. Marilyn passed away in 1998. He married Joan Haley McDowell in 1999 at which time they moved to Spearfish, SD. They continued the South Dakota/Arizona life style.

Ralph maintained his interest in ranching his entire life. Leisure time was spent golfing, reading, dancing, and playing bridge.

Surviving are his wife, Joan, Spearfish; sister, Kathryn Reausaw, Spearfish; stepdaughter, Kristin Marshall, Tempe, AZ; nephews, Ron Soelzer and Una, Steve and Mary Soelzer, and Rick and Colleen Soelzer, all of Piedmont, SD; niece, Sherry and Dan Solberg, Alcester; nephews, Ralph and Carol Reausaw, and Bernie and Judy Reausaw, Lead; niece, Lois Ann and Curt Jacobs, Spearfish; stepsons, Mark and Sue McDowell, Colorado Springs, CO, and Bill and Nancy McDowell, Mission Viejo, CA; stepdaughter, Linda and Dick Homann, Fort Collins, CO. Other survivors include eight step grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; and 18 great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; his parents; and a brother, Frank. Also preceding his was a great-nephew, Chris Soelzer, killed in Iraq on Christmas Eve day, in 2003.

The memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2015, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Inurnment will be at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the Western Heritage Center in Spearfish.

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