Ralph Claar, 87, of Deerfield, Kansas, died Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin, Kansas.
He was born July 31, 1934, in Lakin, Kansas, the son of Milton and
Sophie (Anderson) Claar. Ralph lived a full life as a husband, father,
grandfather, great grandfather, friend, and farmer.
He grew up in Deerfield where he was an active community member.
He graduated from Deerfield High School in 1952 and married his high
school sweetheart, Twila Lea Duncan. They were married for 69 years and
were blessed with 3 sons, Bobby, Ronald, and Kenneth. He was a member
of the United Methodist Church. Ralph worked for the Kearny County
Farmers Irrigation Association for eleven years and served as a board
member for 39 years.
He helped build and restore the Amazon head gates west of Lakin.
He was active in Boy Scouts, served as a board member of Unified School
District #216, also served on the Deerfield City Council, and helped
with the design of the Deerfield Fire House. A plaque honoring his
service is on the building.
Ralph was one of four farmers who purchased Santa Fe Motors so
farmers could continue to purchase their equipment locally, the business
was renamed Deerfield AG, Inc.
He was a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and on the tribal role.
The family moved in 1974 five miles north of Deerfield to the John
James farm where Ralph enjoyed farming for many years until he retired.
He enjoyed his friendships with people and was helpful to people in
need. He loved watching basketball games, including watching his
grandchildren play and other teams like K-State, KU, and Wichita State.
He greatly enjoyed seeing his 27 great grandchildren grow up, also watching them with their activities on Facebook.
Ralph was preceded in death by a son Bobby Claar, a brother Charles Claar, sister-in-law Donita Claar, and his parents.
Survivors include his wife Twila; two sons Ronald and wife Chris of
Deerfield and Kenneth and wife Judy of Franktown, Colorado; a
daughter-in-law Janie Claar of Manhattan, Kansas; 7 grandchildren and
their spouses; 27 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; and
many relatives and friends.
Special wishes of Ralph and Twila are for a service at a later date when both are deceased.
Memorials for Ralph are suggested to the United Methodist Church of
Deerfield in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Lakin, Kansas. Words of
comfort may be sent to Twila at 607 Court Place, Room #204, Lakin,
Kansas 67860.