May 5, 1921 - December 15, 2013 Ralph William Fieselman, 92, of Lakewood, Colorado, son of William and Mary Fieselman, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2013. Ralph was born May 5, 1921 on a farm in Masters, Colorado. He and his parents returned to Lakewood shortly thereafter where he was raised on the family farm (Big W Dairy) near present day West Mississippi and South Cody Streets. Ralph attended Bancroft schools and Lakewood High School where he played football, basketball and track. Following graduation from high school in 1940, he worked on the farm and at the Bigelow Guest Ranch near Meredith, Colorado. In 1942, he moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where he had gained employment with the contractors group working on re-building and new construction projects at Pacific Naval Air Base-Pearl Harbor. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army, was trained as an electrician and served in World War II with the 50th Combat Engineer Battalion in the Philippines and New Caledonia. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to Colorado. Ralph married the love of his life, Irene Kerstiens in January 1947, and they spent the following 66 years together. They built their home together in Lakewood and resided there for 64 years until his death. He worked 37 years for Mountain States Telephone Telegraph/Mountain Bell/US West and among numerous other tasks, was part of constructing the initial telephone service for several small towns throughout Colorado. Ralph retired from the “phone company” in 1983 and had the pleasure of enjoying 30 years of retirement. In retirement he enjoyed mentoring his grandchildren, attending all of their events, volunteering, and was a part-time resident of Granby, Colorado for 18 years. Ralph also enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, ATV'ing, camping, traveling, woodworking, gardening and home improvement projects. He was a member of the American Legion, Telephone Pioneers, Lakewood Elks Lodge 1777 and Lakewood Historical Society. He is survived by his wife, Irene Fieselman; their son Bill (Terri); grandchildren Talya and Riley Fieselman; brothers Everett Fieselman of Littleton, Colorado, Jack Fieselman of Hollywood, Florida, Jim Fieselman of Paul, Idaho, and sister Frieda Millsapps of Montrose, Colorado, and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded by parents and sisters Lucille Tanner and Lois Hill. A memorial service and inurnment will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery on August 1, 2014, 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a children's charity of your choice. Suggestions include: • Any Lakewood High School Sports Team (c/o Lakewood High School Foundation, 9700 West 9th Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215 [please designate the team of choice]). • Lasley Elementary School Reading Intervention Program (c/o Lasley Elementary School, 1401 South Kendall Street, Lakewood, CO 80232 • Colorado Parks Wildlife Youth Hunting Program (http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/HunterOutreach/YouthHunting/Pages/HOYouth.aspx). • Colorado Parks Wildlife Teaching Kids and Families to Fish Program (http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/ClinicsAndEducation/Pages/AnglerEd.aspx). See (http://wildlifestore.state.co.us/c-14-donations.aspx).
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