Mary Ralston

M ary Ann Ralston, 80 of Sabetha formerly of Bern, Kansas died Monday, November 21, 2016 at her residence in Sabetha.  She was born on July 20, 1936 the daughter of Herbert “Bert” Keim and Helen (Bestwick) Keim at Sabetha, Kansas.  She attended Albany schools and graduated from Sabetha High School.  She was united in marriage to Roy Ellis Ralston on October 30, 1954 at Sparks, Kansas.  Ever since Mary watched Roy perform in the play “Cheaper By The Dozen” in High School, she knew she wanted a large family.  This she achieved and achieved it well.   Ten children were born to this union.  She was a long time housewife, devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  In 1969, they moved to Bern and started a trucking firm with her husband and brother in law, William P. Ralston, Mary was the bookkeeper for many years.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy Ralston in 2001; brother, Glen Keim in 2000; twin sister, JoAnn Beyer in 2006; son, Kevin Ralston in 1987.  She is survived by two sons, David Ralston and his wife, Cindy of Falls City, Nebraska and Scott Ralston and his wife, Alicia of Macon, Illinois; seven daughters, Brenda Toby and her husband, Bill of Seneca, Kathy Stallbaumer and her husband, Max of St. Benedict, Kansas, Cindy Frey and her husband, Randy of Sabetha, Jana Anderson and her husband, Dave of DuBois, Nebraska, Dema Hastings and her late husband, Ron of Bern, Kansas, Lisa Pierce and her husband, Lonny of Hiawatha and Kristin Ralston of Sabetha and 22 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha.  A visitation will be Friday, November 25, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha.  The interment will be made in the Bern Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Nemaha County Home Health & Hospice and the Nemaha County Training Center sent in care of the Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Sabetha, Kansas 66534.