Ralph F. Voorhees, 88, Spearfish, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at the Spearfish Regional Hospital.

He was born near Vale, on July 16, 1918, to Fred N. Voorhees and Myrtle (Elder) Voorhees. He attended grade school in Lawrence County. He worked with his father on a dairy farm in Bear Butte Valley.

He married Leona Schuller from Iowa on June 15, 1940. To this union, five children -- one daughter and four sons -- were born. In 1951, they moved to the Sam Bober farm near Nisland, where they raised wheat and black angus cattle. Later, they moved to a dairy west of Spearfish. In 1971, they sold the dairy and moved to Whitewood, where Ralph worked at Wheeler Lumber for a number of years until his retirement. They moved to Spearfish and lived in the Hickory House apartments. In 2001, Ralph became a resident of the Dorsett Home and resided there until his death.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Leona; his daughter, Doris (Buddy) Chafee, Cheyenne, Wyo.; sons, Richard (Beverly) Voorhees, Gilbert, Ariz., Ron (Carol) Voorhees, Caldwell, Idaho, Fred Voorhees, Gillette, Wyo., and Ray (Peggy) Voorhees of Spearfish; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Frances Parks, Spearfish.

His parents, two brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, with Mr. Richard Harbour and Mr. Mike Henry officiating.

Burial will be in the Whitewood Cemetery immediately following the service.

Memorials may be made to the Dorsett Home or Northern Hills Hospice in Spearfish.