Ralph C. Shrake, 80, of Pukwana, South Dakota passed away on July 14th, 2024 at the Chamberlain Care Center due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Funeral services will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Chamberlain on Saturday, July 20th at 11:00am, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 23, 2024 in the Black Hills National Cemetery at Sturgis, SD.
Ralph was born on June 9th, 1944 in Chamberlain, South Dakota. He grew up in surrounding towns around the Chamberlain. This was the ideal area for an avid bird and big game hunter.
In 1963, Ralph enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard and retired from this service in 1986. A distinguished marksman in the 842nd, earning numerous rifle and pistol honors. One distinction included the Chief 50 award which is only given to a selected few in the State of South Dakota.
In 1965, Ralph met Arlene Neugebauer in Mitchell, South Dakota and they married two years later on May 10, 1967 in Lead.
In 1967, Ralph was hired by the Homestake Gold Mine where he started as a contractor and later became one of their welders based on the 8,000-foot level of the underground operations.
While living in Lead, Ralph was an active member of the Rod and Gun Club. Not only did he instruct many youths during his 20+ years as a Hunters Safety Course instructor but was instrumental in the building of the Lead Rod and Gun club shooting range.
Ralph would spend many week nights and weekends trap shooting which earned his 27-yard line position.
Ralph and Arlene relocated to Pukwana on his maternal grandfather’s homestead after leaving Lead in 1993. Until 2008, he worked on road construction throughout the state.
During retirement, Ralph was able to hunt even more often, traveled with his family, and attended auction sales.
Survivors include his wife, Arlene of 57 years, daughter Robin and her husband Cal McGinnis, brother Edward Shrake, and several nephews and nieces.
Preceded in death are his parents, Ralph E and Agnes Shrake, in-laws Elmer and Dorothy Neugebauer, sister, Karla Gould, brother-in-law Daniel Gould and close uncle and aunt, Roy and Carol Shrake.
