Ralph Dean Donovan, Sr., age 52, of Huron, passed away Thursday, August 24, 2017 at his home. His funeral service was held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August, 29th, at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery with military honors.
Ralph Dean Donovan was born May 10, 1965 to Carl Donovan, Sr. and Connie (Cramer) Donovan at Miller. He grew up in Highmore and attended Highmore High School.
On August 12, 1985, Ralph enlisted in the National Guard which was activated for Operation Desert Shield in November of 1990.He received the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and the Southwest Asia Service Medal.Ralph was honorably discharged on May 23, 1991.
Ralph married Lanise Rae Bruns on September 1, 1990 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Yale. The couple moved to Primgahr, Iowa and then to Sanborn. Ralph worked at a hog confinement operation and Hartley Nursing Home. Ralph and Lanise divorced in 2002. Ralph moved to Huron in 2006. He was employed at Bales/Huron Continental Marketing for the past 11 years.
Ralph enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears play and harassing people if his team beat their team. He also enjoyed bowling at Fair City Lanes. Most of all, Ralph loved spending time with his grand kids.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his two sons, Ralph Dean (Serena) Donovan, Jr. and Trevor (Lydia) Donovan, both of Remsen, Iowa; his father, Carl Donovan, Sr. of Sterling, Illinois; a sister, Vickie (Brad) Bruns of Huron; a brother, Russel (Karen) Donovan of Huron; four grandchildren, Karsin Donovan, Zander Donovan, Logan Donovan, and Elly Donovan; his significant other, Julie Waldner of Aberdeen; and his former wife, Lanise (Richard) Nissen of Remsen, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Vera Sterrett; his mother, Connie Cramer; his sister, Tammy; his granddaughter, Aeryn Donovan; his nephew, Michael Johnson; and his niece, Kayla Donovan.