Mareta “Butch” Ralston
Mareta “Butch” Ralston
Springville
Mareta “Butch” Ralston, age 81, passed peacefully at St. Luke’s hospital, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born at home in Waubeek, IA on June 20, 1943, her family moved to Springville when she was four, where Butch lived the rest of her life. Visitation will be held Friday, October 18, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Springville Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Jordan’s Grove Cemetery in rural Central City, Iowa.
Upon graduating from Springville High School in 1961, Mareta went to work at Iowa Title Abstract Company, working there until her retirement in 2008. Butch married Douglas Ralston on July 12, 1964 and they had three children: Matthew, who was born into Heaven, Lance, who joined his brother in Heaven in 2003, and Lisa. In addition to her sons, Doug preceded Butch in death, as did her parents, Ralph and Ann Pederson and sisters Twila Wyman, and Charlene Clark.
Upon retiring from her career with the abstract company, Butch began working as the secretary for her church, Springville Methodist – where she also served as the choir director and organist, which she did until very recently. Butch also shared her musical talents by playing the piano at countless weddings, funerals, and community hymn sings. Butch served on the Springville City Council from 2010 to 2019, when she was presented a key to the city.
Butch’s greatest joy in life was her family – especially her grandchildren Jack Douglas, Andrew Lance, and Ellie Ann. To her they could do no wrong and to them their Grandma was the best. The example she set for them of faith in God, serving others, generosity of spirt, and unconditional love will carry on in them. In addition to her beloved grandchildren, Butch is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Lisa and Brett Stephenson of Cedar Rapids, her cousin and best friend Jean (Jim) Menster of Springville, her best friend Deb (Steve) Yeisley of Springville, her sister Roxie (Dennis) Popper of The Villages, FL and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorials may be directed to Springville Methodist Church or the family.
Please share a memory of Butch at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.