Ralph Reschke

Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Ralph Eugene Reschke, 88, at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Ralph passed away Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Star Living Assisted Living Facility in Lawrence.

Ralph was born August 27, 1935, in Preston, NE, the son of William G. Reschke and Sophia E. Santo Reschke. Ralph grew up on farms in Preston, NE and Fairview, KS.

Ralph met his future wife, Mary Alice Ramsey, at the skating rink in Sycamore Springs, KS. They married on December 29th, 1956, in Dawson, NE, and moved to Lawrence, KS.

Ralph attended Kansas University for six years on a part-time basis and studied engineering. Ralph worked various jobs, including repairing autos at Lawrence service stations. Ralph was hired by Hallmark Cards at the Lawrence plant in 1959 as a maintenance engineer. While working for Hallmark, Ralph enjoyed traveling the world to install, repair, modify and transfer machinery in places such as Mexico, Europe, Africa, and Australia. Ralph retired from Hallmark in 2000.

Post-retirement, Ralph enjoyed fully restoring a 1930 Model A, a 2 door 1955 Plymouth Belvedere hardtop – the car of his youth, and a convertible 1955 Plymouth Belvedere. Ralph served as president of the Lawrence Region Antique Automobile Club of America for numerous years.

Ralph was active in the church throughout his time in Lawrence. Ralph was a long-time member of the St. John's school board, and also served as its Athletic Director. He was on the parish council for many years and spent a large part of his life as an usher at both St. John's and Corpus Christi.

Survivors include his children, Ralph Reschke, Jr. (Eradio Beltran), Arvada, CO, Christine Marie Reschke, Topeka, KS, Cynthia Ann Aldridge, Lawrence, Thomas William Reschke, Lawrence; eight grandchildren, Kathryn (Jay) VanBlaricum, Diana Spencer, Suzanne (Jay) Facer, Valerie (Dennison) Cox,

Cameron Reschke, Natalie Reschke (Christopher Coffey), Toby (Bryanna) Aldridge, Ty Albright (Charles); five great grandchildren, Violet VanBlaricum, James and Michael Aldridge, Ryker and Mary Jo Coffey; his sister Joan Jurgensmeier of Salina, KS; his brother John's wife Mary Ann Reschke of Valley Falls, KS, and a large extended family of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, William, Robert, John and Henry; two sisters, Mary Cashman and Ruth Ann; and his wife, Mary, who passed on October 13, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Daughter's of Isabella – Corpus Christi or the Lawrence Region Antique Automobile Club and may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

A Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. prior to the service on Thursday, November 30th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Online condolances may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.