Obituary of Ralph Robert Kessel

Ralph R. Kessel, age 87, of Mountain Home, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Friday, March 31, 2023. Ralph will be inurned at the Prairie Cemetery at a later date. Cremation was under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Ralph was born in mountain Home on July 15, 1935 to Eric and Alice (Crosley) Kessel. As a youth he learned how to fish and hunt. In high school, Ralph lettered in Basketball and Football, most notably as a kicker. He was inducted into the Marine Corp in 1953 serving in Korea with an honorable discharge in 1962.

Ralph started working on the Green Chain at the Sawtooth Sawmill, moving to resaw operator then to head saw filer. After being laid off in the mid 80’s, Ralph became a farm worker in Grand View eventually ending up working at the JR Simplot feedlots until retirement around 2010.

Ralph enjoyed the family, being in Search and Rescue as a CB operator and racing motorcycles. He loved the mountains, wildlife, spending time looking for firewood and the general outdoors with wife Linda and family.

The family would like to thank all those who offered their condolences, kind words and food.  And a special thank you goes out to Dad’s caretakers: Tania, Angela, Rhiannon and Lexi. You meant the world to him!

Ralph is survived by his sons Lenny, Randy, Karl and wife Kathy and Richard: his brother Eric and wife Marla, grandchildren John, Melissa, Rachel, Bekie, Christopher, Ciana, Gabi and Alexis and many great grandchildren.

Ralph is preceded in death by both parents, wife Linda, Daughter Sonja, sister Doris Bridwell and grandchild Shawntell.

Donations can be made in Ralphs name to the local Va or the Mountain Home Senior Center 1000 No. 3 East, Mountain Home, Id. 83647.