Ralph E. Bilsten

He was a loving son to Garnett and Ralph Sr., brother to six siblings, husband for 59 years-11 months to his wife Eva, father to Mark, Jan and Jodi, father-in-law to Pat Jepsen, Rob Simmens and Bob Hall, grandfather to Karlee, Kerri, Erin and Evan, step-grandfather to Tiffany, Chelsea, Matt and Ben, and step-great grandfather to Hailey and Peyton. He moved our family from Westside to Denison in 1960 where he owned and operated Bilsten Barbershop and later became a realtor owning and operating Bilsten Realty. He served as Vice President of the Denison Jaycees, President of the Denison Chamber of Commerce, Denison Councilman, and the Denison Mayor in 1974-75. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church where he served as both a deacon and an elder and enjoyed singing in the choir. He was a US Army veteran during the Korean War, stationed in Germany and a proud member of the American Legion, Elks, VFW, and Moose. He enjoyed a good game of golf, a lucky hand in cards and a strong drink. He will always be remembered for the eternal smile on his face, the twinkle in his blue eyes and his quick sense of humor. In these times, it is with our utmost respect that we will remember him as a true gentleman. Although his firm handshake, his affectionate kisses, his generous nature and his presence will be sorely missed, we are convinced he will live on eternally in faith and forever in spirit. Survivors include his wife, Eva Bilsten of Sun City, Arizona, three children: Mark (Pat) Bilsten of Denison, Iowa, Jan Bilsten (Rob Simmens) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Jodi Bilsten (Bob Hall) of Littleton, Colorado; four grandchildren: Karlee, Kerri, Erin and Evan; four step grandchildren: Tiffany, Chelsea, Matt and Ben; two step great-grandchildren: Hailey and Peyton; three sisters: Darlene Allsup of Des Moines, Iowa, Phyllis (Bob) Gerken of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Sharon Kirk of Cedar Falls, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.