Ralph Kenneth Ogier passed away peacefully listening to Pink Floyd on Wednesday, March 11, 2025 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, Nebraska.
Ralph was born on March 17, 1959 to Garth Kenneth and Bethel Jolyne (Andrews) Ogier in Grant, Nebraska. He was the second of five children and was named for his paternal grandfather.
Ralph grew up on a ranch north of Hyannis, Nebraska. He spent many hours playing in the Sandhills. I'm sure if you look, you will find buried G.I. Joes who bravely died in battle!
If you knew Ralph, you knew he couldn't sit still. He either was tapping out a rhythm or had his foot moving. I think this helped him as a percussionist in band, where he earned the John Phillip Sousa Award. He graduated from Hyannis High School in 1977. He then enrolled at Milford SCC for diesel mechanics. On the first day there, he met John Stone and that friendship has continued to this day.
Ralph and Charlene met at an R.E.O. Speedwagon concert in July 1988. They were married on July 28, 1989. Ralph became a step-dad to Nichole Renee and Whitney Dru. In December of 1990, their family was completed with the birth of a son, Timothy Garth.
Ralph was always a kid at heart. He played cops and robbers with the neighbor kids. Many hours were spent on the floor playing Lego's with Tim. If nieces or nephews wanted to go to the part, they'd ask Uncle Ralph, as he would most likely take them! Memories the kids shared include a time of fishing at the canal with Nichole and a bird landed on his head. Ralph didn't shoo it away, he just let it be! There were many other memories with the boys fishing, camping, dove hunting, trap shooting, kayaking, and even a canoe trip or two down the Snake River with his sister Jo's family. Enrique remembers playing GI Joes in the sandbox with Papa.
Ralph was happiest when he could be outside. That was where he felt closest to God. He was very spiritual and accepted Jesus into his heart at a young age. If you knew Ralph for a friend, you had a loyal friend for life! If there was something he could help you with, he would be there.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Charlene Louise (Palmateer); his father, Garth; daughter, Nichole (Patrick) Maez; son, Timothy (Andrea); grandsons, Talbot (fiancé, Elizather Menzer) and Enrique Maez; and soon to be great-granddaughter, Gracelynn Dru Buchholz; brother, Jim (JoAnn); sisters, Nicki (Doug) Brennemann, Rosalie (Wayne) Morgan; brother-in-law, Roy Westover; plus many other family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Bethel; daughter and son-in-law, Whitney and Roy Buchholz; parents-in-law, Allen and Carol Palmateer; and sister, Jolyne Westover.
Ralph, you are so loved and missed, but we are so glad you are no longer suffering. This isn't good-bye, but see you later.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg, Nebraska with the family present from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CST at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg, Nebraska with Pastor Robert Litzenberger officiating.