Obituary: Ralph Rhees (1937-2024)

Submitted by Eric Rhees–
Ralph Rhees passed away January 18, 2024 at age 86 in his Citrus Heights home surrounded by family members. He was born in Ogden, Utah Sept. 27, 1937, to Horace and Elizabeth Rhees, the youngest of 7 children. Ralph grew up on his parents’ farm in Pleasant View where he learned many useful skills. He was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ.

Ralph attended Weber State College where he earned a two-year Certificate in Machine Shop Technology.

He served a two-year church mission among the people of the Navajo Nation in Arizona and New Mexico. He was able to speak the language and share stories and traditions for the rest of his life.

Ralph married Beverly Crook on December 16, 1960 in the Idaho Falls, ID Temple. They had seven children and adopted a son. As a family they lived in Utah, Idaho and California. Their most recent location was Woodland, CA. After 41 years of marriage Bev passed away in 2001.

Ralph married Karen Bell Evans in 2002 in the Oakland, CA Temple. Ralph and Karen have enjoyed 21 loving years together and their families have become one big family.

As a machinist, and later a manufacturing engineer, Ralph worked at several companies including Romney Engineering Co. in Salt Lake City, Thiokol Corp. in Brigham City, and his own machine shop, Rhees Machine and Manufacturing in Malad, Idaho. He retired from Aerojet Rocketdyne in 1993 where he worked as a machinist and then a manufacturing engineer on Delta rocket motors used by NASA. He worked for a few more years at Ames Co. in Woodland.

Ralph will be remembered most for his love, service to others, his mischievous streak, and being able to fix just about anything. Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, son, Alan, and grandson, Scott, as well as many other family members. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his children Jerald (Deanna), Dyan (Faustino-decd), Michael, Heidi (Steve), Eric (Dawanna), Chana (Ronald-decd), Hayden (Chelsea), Kristen (Joe), Ryan, Todd, Sheriane, and Travis. Ralph has 33 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 8056 Oak Ave, Citrus Heights, CA 95610, on January 27 at 10:00 AM, with an opportunity to visit with the family afterwards.

A second service will be held Saturday February 3 at 11 AM with an opportunity to visit with the family at 10 am at Lindquist Mortuary 2140 North Washington Blvd. North Ogden, UT 84414

Ralph will be interred at Ben Lomond Cemetery in North Ogden, Utah

*Publisher’s Note: As a free service to family members who have lost a loved one, The Sentinel publishes online obituaries of Citrus Heights residents or former residents at no cost. To submit an obituary, click here