Ralph Nelles
Ralph was
born in Fletcher,
At 17
Ralph went to work for his mother’s brother P.R.Gorham who convinced
Ralph to join him in building a new lodge at
The
Gorham Lodge was not the only tourist accommodation in Silvergate in
’38 with competition from the Vincellete Camp where a young woman,
Flora spent the summer helping her family run the tourist camp.
In remote, mountainous
After the
War, Ralph and Flora, along with new daughter Marilyn, moved to
Ralph and
Flora enjoyed flying (a pilot for 35 years and Chairman of the
Billings Airport Commission for many years) and traveling
world-wide. In May of 1987, Flora passed away unexpectedly due to a
stroke. Ralph and loving nurses at
In 1974
Ralph was elected President of the Pioneer Baseball League during a
challenging time for minor league baseball. He accepted the job with
the understanding that he would fill in as a replacement President
for only one year.
Nineteen years later Ralph resigned as President leaving a strong
league centered on family entertainment. He met all of the great
baseball characters of the time including Billy Martin, Bill White,
Roger Maris, Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige and Lefty Gomez among them.
Of course, Ralph’s provocative buckskin outfit with the coonskin hat
where he served wild game at the annual baseball meeting always drew
a cast of characters.
The “moose nuggets” and elk teriyaki were always a hit.
Other
civic commitments were made to the Knights of Columbus, the American
Legion, Billings Elks, Hilands Golf Club, and the Billings Chamber
of Commerce. He served on the board of directors of many area
businesses including First Citizens Bank.
Ralph’s
“golden years” were a blessing thanks to his marriage to Audree
Nelles in 1993, a family friend of many years. Spending winters in
Ralph
became one of the region’s most generous philanthropists believing
that “the
In
addition to his daughters Marilyn(Don Brocopp) and LaVonne(Ted Fink)
and wife Audree, Ralph is survived by his grandchildren
Memorials
may be sent to: St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation’s Nelles Nurse
Fund, 1106 North 30th, Billings, MT or Billings Area Catholic
Education Trust, 120 South 34th, Billings, MT or to a charity of
one’s choice in honor of Ralph.
Funeral
mass will be celebrated at
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I will always remember Ralph's "cute" smile and those bright sparkling eyes. Thank you so much for the privilege given to me to be able to care for him and become a friend to Ralph. I am so honored. In Gods Hands, Phyllis Torpy Always Remember to Smile at the Sunshine.
Audree, Marilyn, & Vonnie,
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of Ralph. He was truly one of the greatest generation! He will be missed. God bless, Janet & Meredith
I first met Ralph when I worked at First Citizens Bank, where he also served on our Board of Directors. We quickly became friends and I was blessed with his trust and amazed by his knowledge on several subjects. Business conversations were always mixed with stories from Ralph's past. I will miss his presence in the community and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family.
Personal regards,
Darla J. Card
To the family of Uncle Ralph: I am a voice from the past and came across your loss in a round about way through my cousin, Kevin Streeter via my brother Allen Huth. This is Carol (Huth) Faber now living with my husband Larry (married 36 years) in a little town northwest of San Antonio, Texas named Boerne. My grandmother is Alice(Nelles) Streeter and my mother is Janet (Streeter) Huth. I married an Air Force pilot and have spoken many times of my first airplane flight in Uncle Ralph's little red plane. I think I was about 4 or 5 years old at the time and we were visiting the farm in Fletcher, MN.
Likewise I have fond memories of the time we spent at the farm especially the wagon rides down the hill!!! And the Easter egg hunts in the barn and listening to Phillip play the accordion, which my mother later made me play! But of all these memories the one I cherish the most is that first airplane ride. He flew me over the town of Fletcher and the family cemetery. Later I would be in our WWII Stearman, which my husband flew, and I'd wonder how much Uncle Ralph would have liked to go for a ride. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers as you say good bye to Uncle Ralph. Carol
I, too, met Ralph when I worked at First Citizens Bank. He was a great person to have known. I remember him coming to me to transfer money to the Mustangs checking account so he could pay the umpires. We talked many times about his love of baseball and the many trips he made to so many of the World Series games. I especially remember him telling me about the game he attended in San Francisco when there was a slight earthquake and he had left the stands just seconds before it struck! And, even though he insisted on calling me Bonnie, I feel very honored to have made his acquaintance and will always remember his great smile and sense of humor. He truly was a legend.
My thoughts & prayers are with you and yours,
Vonnie Fineran
Mr. Nelles was obviously one heck of a fellow. That alone causes his absence to be even more noticeable, and sadder, and more difficult for those close to him. All of you are in our thoughts. Those who wrote/compiled Ralph's obituary are to be highly commended for such an excellent job. You did great.
Bill & Kathleen LaMeres
Ralph may be gone from this earth ,but not from our hearts. My husband Kevin Vincelette will always remember Ralph coming into Kmart and talking business with him. We are so Blessed to have all the memories of Ralph .He is walking with God in the garden .
Kevin & Brenda Vincelette
I’m very sorry to have learned of Uncle Ralph’s passing and my thoughts and prayers are with Audree and the extended Nelles family.
As Ralph’s godson, I was very fortunate to have spent a special time with him during my college years at Arizona State University. During that time, Ralph was interested in putting a pool hall into a commercial strip center near campus. He’d come by the house we rented where he’d find co-eds relaxing by the pool. He’d laugh and just shake his head. And of course, he’d furnished the beer. As we worked on the project, he entrusted me with working on the details with leasing agents and city officials. Ever the smart businessman, Ralph hired the former Tempe mayor, Dale Shumway, (I can still remember his name) to represent the project before the city council.
During the process, we learned the developers didn’t own a sliver of land that was needed to provide proper parking and the deal faded away.
What didn’t fade were the lessons I learned from Ralph, his knack for business, and his signature voice I can still hear now as I type. I spent many fun evenings listening to Ralph, Buntz and Ted Watkins talk business and baseball, and eventually went on to work for Ted managing his video game business in Tempe. To earn a couple college dollars, I even painted Ralph and Flora’s condo in Scottsdale. As my last year approached, I read in the paper the county was selling odd shaped parcels of property. Remembering the issue we had with the pool hall, I purchased a sliver of land for $52 by the ASU stadium. A few days later, the City of Tempe called wanting to buy it. Yes, that sliver of land slipped through their development plans too.
I sold it for $500 which covered my last semester’s tuition.
The time I spent with Ralph not only taught me lessons I could quickly benefit from, that time may have sunk in much deeper than I may have originally imaged. I eventually became involved in real estate, elected mayor and currently serve as chair of a community foundation. I believe it was the time I spent with Ralph that opened my eyes to the world of business, the importance of civic involvement, and the magnitude of community service, and for that I am forever grateful. The fact that I can remember so many details of that time demonstrates the impact he had on my life at that time.
Ralph will be missed by so many, but never forgotten. With love - Todd Streeter, Alice Streeter’s (Ralph’s sister) grandson, Jerry Streeter’s son.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father - WHAT A GREAT MAN - I lost both of my parents within a year and a half and still feel the suffering and loss.
I remember all of our slumber parties when we were young. I also remember your Dad taking us up in the airplane and I have been terrified of flying ever since.
I still love you even though you are away from me.
Kathleen O'Leary
I am so sorry to hear of Ralph's passing. Through a round about way I just received notice today July 9th. I was married to Gary Schwabe
(Ralph's sisters son) and we had two children. Even though I haven't seen the family in many years my kids have always heard stories and references to "Uncle" Ralph. Raynell, Ralph's sister, shared so many memories about growing up in Fletcher, Rogers etc. and I have tried to relay them as best as I can, she was so proud of him and he was so good to her. He had quite an impact on everyone who knew him. All my best to the family, I know you will miss him very much.Shelly Karnis~Sara Schwabe and Sam Schwabe