Ralph A. Holland

Ralph A. Holland, 73, a resident of Fredonia, Kansas, formerly of Osborne, Kansas, died Friday, June 1, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. He was born September 12, 1938 in Rivermines, Missouri, the son of Everett and Evelyn (Smith) Holland. Ralph was a 1956 graduate of Fredonia High School and attended the University of Kansas, where he played football. In 1962, he graduated from Pittsburg State University, where he received his bachelors degree in education. On January 28, 1962, Ralph was united in marriage to Judi Stambach. They made their home in Olathe, Kansas, where Ralph taught mathematics and was a coach at Olathe High School. They also lived a few years in Haysville, Kansas, where he taught and coached at Campus High School. In 1967, they moved to Osborne, where Ralph became the owner of Stambach Monuments. Ralph was very active in the Osborne community, serving on several boards, coaching little league and was the voice of the Osborne High School Bulldog football team. Ralph was instrumental in establishing hospice care in the Osborne area. He was a member of USD 392 Board of Education and the First United Methodist Church. He took pride in being one of six business people who championed the idea of Osborne Industries, and in 1973 Osborne Industries was founded and Ralph served on the Board of Directors. He was currently one of two remaining original board members. Ralph was a high school wrestling referee for many years. Judi preceded Ralph in death on March 8, 1993. Ralph sold Stambach Monuments in December of 1994. In 1995, Ralph moved to Fredonia, where he married Sheila Showalter Timmons on January 21. He became a licensed funeral director and worked with Sheila at Timmons Funeral Home. He established Holland Monuments in Fredonia and continued to design beautiful monuments. Ralph made sure his monument legacy would continue when he brought his grandson, Jordan Stewart, into the business. He was an active member of Rotary International since 1968 and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He had been a member of Masonic Blue Lodge A.F. & A.M. since 1974. For 12 years, Ralph was active on the Fredonia Regional Hospital Board of Directors, where he had served as president and was instrumental in additions of the physician"s clinic and new wing of the hospital. He also held memberships and served on various committees in the Kansas Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. He attended the Buxton Christian Church. Survivors, in addition to his wife, Sheila, include: Five daughters Gretchen & Bill Roy of Wichita, KS Heidi Davis of Olpe, KS Rachel & Greg Heidrick of Olathe, KS Lorrie Timmons Stewart of Fredonia, KS Carrie & Tracy Kukovich of Fredonia, KS One sister Betty & David Wimer of Leavenworth, KS Aunt Ethel Smith of Fredonia, KS Twelve grandchildren: Jordan & Britni Stewart, Lindsay Stewart, Brianne Davis, Hannah Heidrick, Levi Heidrick, Cammie Kukovich, Sydney Roy, Shea Roy, Brock Davis, Zac Heidrick, Malorrie Kukovich, Sam Heidrick Two great granddaughters: Harlee Grace Blackwell Tate Jordan Stewart Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Fredonia with Rev. Charlotte Coates and Rev. Gene Benefiel officiating. Burial will be in the Fredonia City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Timmons Funeral Home 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at Timmons Funeral Home. A memorial has been established in Ralph"s name with the Fredonia Regional Health Care Foundation and contributions can be sent to the funeral home. Words of condolence for the family may be left on this website. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS, 66736, is in charge of the arrangements.