Ralph Callahan

Ralph E. Callahan, 76, of Harpers Ferry, IA, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, WI, surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 11th, at 11:00 AM at St. Ann's - St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Wexford Cemetery in rural Lansing. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Saturday at the church. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be made to the Wexford Cemetery or Crossing Rivers Health Hospice.

Ralph Elmer Callahan was born July 24, 1946, in Waukon, IA, the son of Elmer and Anna (Wagner) Callahan. He was baptized and confirmed at Wexford Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in rural Lansing, where he was lifelong member, and graduated from St. George Catholic School in Lansing in 1964. He farmed his entire life alongside his brother Ray on the Callahan Family Farm with the exception of being drafted into the Army from 1965-67.

Ralph was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing third base for the Wexford softball team back in the day. He loved watching baseball, football, and basketball on TV, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. Ralph also loved visiting with his family, friends, and neighbors and was especially proud of his nieces and nephews, supporting them in all of their events and activities.

Survivors include his siblings: twin brother Ray, Kay Hawes, Tom (Lavonne) Callahan, Jim (Cindy) Callahan, and Mary (Tony) Baxter; 16 nieces and nephews; 42 great-nieces and nephews; and 16 great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin brothers; brother-in-law Jim Hawes; two nephews: Joe Hawes and Ted Benda; and great-nephew Cade Nolting.

Honorary urnbearers are Ralph's beloved nieces and nephews. Ralph's nephew Jeff Callahan will serve as urnbearer.