Ralph Emerson Nelson was born on July 21, 1937 to Ralph E. and Mabel (Humphries) Nelson. Ralph’s father was killed in a tragic accident when Ralph was three months old.
Ralph grew up in Glasgow and attended schools in Glasgow, graduating with the class of 1956.
Ralph leaves a legacy of love, hard work and the ability of many friendships along the way. Ralph was a hard worker all of his life, as a young man, he worked on farms in the Glasgow area. He helped with his family and never refused a job, no matter what is was. Ralph was always proud of his life working construction. He was a foreman on the building of the second powerhouse in Fort Peck at the age of 18 and he went on to work on other dams. Ralph was superintend on the Pelican Prison and many high rises in the San Francisco area.
Ralph married Sharon Short in 1961 in Phoenix and they were blessed with a daughter, Marie Irene. Sharon passed away in 2000.
Ralph and his beloved dog Webe moved back to Montana, settling into Manhattan, where he loved to four wheel the mountains and fish the many streams available to him. He enjoyed woodworking; making bowls, trays and vases, which he shared as gifts with friends and family.
In 2003 Ralph met Rhea Haskin in Glasgow, they were married in 2004 in Manhattan and spent 11 years traveling, boating, fishing and most of all enjoying each other’s company.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Rhea; daughter, Marie (Darrel) Earle of Thorton, CO; special sister, Marie Hobby of Marietta, Gerorgia; Scott (Tammy) Haskin; special grandkids, Brandin, Dakota, Tilina, and Gabby Haskin of Middlebille , MI; many cousins; special cousins Don and Duane Johnson; nieces; and nephews, including special nephew, George (Corie) Hyde; many in-laws that he considered family, including Myrt and Glyn Bamford; friends, Gordon Eatinger and Wayne Andersen.
Preceding Ralph in death are his parents; wife, Sharon; brothers, George, Buddy and Brent; and sisters, Donna, Helen, Marsha, Sharon and Julie.
Ralph passed away April 26, 2015 at Hospice of the Valley in Glendale, AZ.