Ralph W. Ekwall

Dr. Ralph W. Ekwall of Omaha passed away on March 14, 2018, at the age of 89. Born February 20, 1929, to Arthur and Bessie Ekwall, Ralph grew up on the family farm in Fillmore County with five siblings and was a graduate of Geneva High School, class of 1946. Ralph was a Korean war veteran and a graduate of the University of Nebraska. Following his graduation, Ralph embarked on a long career in the field of education, earning accolades for his teaching and curriculum writing. He taught in Hartington, Nebraska and later taught in District 66 in Omaha for many years. Following further study in which he earned a PhD in Education, Ralph joined the faculty at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, a graduate school for military officers. Blessed with a keen mind, Ralph kept busy with a number of hobbies and interests. For a time Ralph was an owner of a successful race horse. He also learned to make and play mountain dulcimers and would entertain others by playing favorite hymns on the instruments he made. Ralph also maintained an interest in history and poured himself into family research which he shared freely with relatives. These interests spawned two books by Ralph. His first book was titled Tina: An Immigrant’s Story, a partially fictionalized account of Ralphs grandmother, Tina Holmgren, who immigrated to America from Sweden. Ralph also wrote about World War II through the wartime experiences of his older brother Robert in a book titled Brother Bob’s War. In 1960 Ralph was married to Doris Miller of Columbus, Nebraska. Ralph is survived by his brother Richard and sister-in-law Joan Ekwall, of Fairmont, Nebraska and by eleven nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by Doris, his parents, Arthur and Bessie Ekwall, brothers Robert and Eldon and sisters Arlene (Meyer) and Norrma (Harris) and by nephews Tom Ekwall, Dwight Ekwall and niece Cindy Ekwall. Ralph was a long-time member of Rockbrook Methodist church in Omaha. Private services will be held at a later date. Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel) 1702 N. 72 St. Omaha, NE 68114 402-391-2171