Obituary of Ralph O. Papenfuhs

To say Ralph Papenfuhs loved St. Maries and it's residents would be an understatement. He was proud of his hometown and for much of his life he volunteered his time and energy into projects that make St. Maries richer. Ralph Otto Papenfuhs died Jan. 20, 2013 at Benewah Community Hospital in St. Maries. Ralph was born March 2, 1935 to Otto Paul and Mabel Bertha (Manke) Papenfuhs in Cottage Grove, Minn. He moved with his family to Hastings, Minn. in 1942. After the Depression, Otto was offered a job in St. Maries as a foreman for the Milwaukee Railroad so he packed his family on the train and moved to St. Maries. They made their home in a small house on Center Avenue. Ralph's mom was the cook for the railroad crews around Avery before becoming head cook at Benewah Community Hospital. Ralph attended schools in St. Maries and was graduated from St. Maries High School in 1953. He was proud that he was voted "Best Dressed" and "Mr. Congeniality". Volunteering was taught to Ralph at a young age by his father. They were among the volunteers who helped Washington Water Power raise the cross on the hill overlooking St. Maries. While in high school, Ralph worked at Ray Reid's Filling Station at the corner of 10th Street and Main Avenue. His dad believed that Ralph's sisters should to go to college and Ralph should stay in St. Maries and make a living. Ralph was hired by Chase Chevrolet where he was a mechanic and service attendant for over 20 years. Ralph enlisted in the Army Reserves and spent several summers in Fort Ord, Calif. Ralph married Charlotte Anxo in 1958. They were blessed with two daughters, Lisa and Yvonne. He was divorced in 1974. He shared his life with Bonnie Adam Burroughs for the next 14 years and loved her children, Paul, Jon and Dawnise as his own. In the mid-1960s, Ralph purchased Enterprise Laundry and Dry Cleaning in St. Maries from his father-in-law, Albert Anxo. This allowed for more flexible hours and permitted him time for his volunteer positions. Ralph's list of volunteer endeavors and accomplishments is extensive. He was a volunteer fireman for 20 years; a 57 year member of the St. Maries Elks Lodge. He was Benewah County Planning and Zoning commissioner for 20 years and a member of the Benewah County Waterways Committee for 25 years. He is a past president of the St. Joe River Boat Club and St. Joe Valley Car Club. As a member of the Waterways Committee, he helped plan and coordinate the construction of Cherry Bend Boat Park and Aqua Park. He served as precinct committeeman for the Democratic Party and served as president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He lobbied for Idaho Parks Department and Benewah County at the Idaho state legislature for 4 ½ years and was awarded statewide community service award in Boise from the Idaho Parks Department. He was also an honorary member of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation advisory board for eight years. He was a member of the supervisory committee for the Mary Minerva McCroskey Park near Tensed. He assisted the Forest Service in the Rails to Trails project as well as the Route of the Hiawatha and Taft Tunnel. He was also involved in the caboose project and the Hughes House Historical Society. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and the American Legion. He served as the grand marshal of the 1995 Labor Day Parade. He also served as vice-chairman on the Job Service Education Committee for the Idaho Department of Employment. Ralph was inducted into the St. Maries High School Wall of Fame in 2007. In addition to his parents Ralph was preceded in death by his sister, Merilyn Hoeg. Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Chris Leigh of East Lynn, Ill.; and Yvonne and Jon Hayenga of Redmond, Wash.; six grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Kenneth Slick of Albuquerque, N.M. and several nieces and nephews. Viewing is from noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries. Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 25 at Woodlawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Cody Moore, Alan Leigh, Bryce Leigh and Keaton Hayenga; his nephew, John Slick and stepson, John Lopez. Ralph's greatest joy was his friends! The memorial service will follow the burial at 11 a.m. at the Elks lodge followed by luncheon and a time of sharing. Deacon Floyd Turner will officiate the services. The family suggests memorials to either the St. Joe River Boat Club P.O. Box 245 or the St. Maries Cross Light Fund c/o Ginny Oakes 472 St. Maries, ID 83861 Hodge Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visit his memorial and sign his guestbook at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read Ralph Papenfuhs's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.