Ralph W. Bredow
April 4, 1929 - July 18, 2015
Ralph Wilfred Bredow was born on April 4, 1929, in Seward to Rudolph Henry and Dorothy Mae (Brandhorst) Bredow and passed away on July 18, 2015, in Omaha at the age of 86 years, 3 months and 14 days.
Ralph was baptized on April 29, 1929, and was confirmed on Dec. 12, 1943, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Ralph grew up on the family farm near Staplehurst where he attended District 66 country school northwest of Seward and graduated from Utica High School with the class of 1946.
Ralph enlisted into the United States Navy on Dec. 4, 1951, and was honorably discharged on Oct. 3, 1953. Ralph was united in marriage to Ardith Rachel Wiebe on June 23, 1953, at the Alameda Naval Air Station in Alameda, California. After his discharge Ralph and Ardith moved to Omaha where he worked for United Airlines as a ramp service person for 31 years, retiring in 1984.
They moved back to Seward County in 1987 where they lived on the family farm where Ralph grew up. He moved back to Omaha to be closer to Ardith and his children. Ralph was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Utica American Legion Post 49 in Utica.
Ralph is survived by his children Tim Bredow of Redmond, Washington; Daniel Bredow and wife Valery, Linda Klopp and Sheila Reiss and husband Robert, all of Omaha; seven grandchildren, Ian Reiss and wife Keri, Breanne Reiss, Tanner Reiss and wife Gabrielle, Jacob Klopp, Rachel Klopp, Michael Klopp and Daniel Bredow, brother -in-law and sisters-in-law, Gordon and Nadeene Wiebe of Puyallup, Washington; and Peggy Wiebe of Houston, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ardith on April 15, 2012, and son-in-law Randy Klopp.
Funeral services were Friday, July 24, 2015, at Zabka Funeral Home with the Rev. Andrew Kennell officiating. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery in Seward.
Memorial contributions may be made to Utica American Legion Post 49 or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Staplehurst.
