Ralph Eugene Shepherd, 81, died November 6, 2025, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler. He was born October 5, 1944, at his grandmother’s house in Attica, KS, the firstborn child of Ralph B. and Dorothy (Martin) Shepherd.
Ralph’s mother moved her family to Hutchinson when he was four years old, along with his sister. He attended Lincoln Elementary School, Sherman Jr. High School, and graduated from Hutchinson High School with the class of 1962.
Ralph worked at Safeway grocery store while going to high school and following his graduation. On April 8, 1967, while working at Safeway, he met the love of his life, Ramona Schott on a blind date after receiving her phone number from a mutual friend. They were married June 8, 1968. Ralph was building mobile homes at that time for Detroiter Mobile Homes.
In August 1973, Ralph and Ramona felt God’s call to help establish a home mission church that was being organized in Mankato, MN. The call was so strong that they both gave up their jobs and borrowed the money to move to Mankato. God provided every step that was needed, and on the third day in Mankato, Ralph received a job at the 7-Up bottling plant. He worked there every day for nearly seven years. Also, during that time, Ralph was helping to build the church and grow the congregation.
On September 17, 1978, Ralph and Ramona welcomed Robert Eugene “Robbie’ Shepherd into their family.
In May 1980, Ralph, Ramona and Robbie returned to Hutchinson. Ralph began working at Carey Salt, where he worked for 19 years, until the plant was closed. For the majority of that time he was a block press operating, catching 50-pound salt blocks from the hydraulic press and stacking them on a pallet, while working many 12-hour days.
On October 1, 1981, the family welcomed Ryan Paul Shepherd.
After Carey Salt closed, Ralph went to work for Hutchinson Salt Company in the salt mine for two years working 750 feet underground. This was a seasonal job, so during the off periods in the mine, Ralph worked in the park department for the City of Hutchinson. He retired in 2017.
Ralph had a love for motorcycles, racing, and antique cars, buying a 1966 Mustang, which the restored and enjoyed driving for many years.
In 2023, Ralph moved to Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; maternal grandparents, Andrew and Bessie Martin; paternal grandparents, John and Olive Shepherd; maternal aunts and uncles; paternal uncle and aunt; and a stillborn baby boy on March 20, 1977.
Ralph is survived by: his wife of 57 years, Ramona; his children, Robbie (Sarah) Shepherd and Ryan Shepherd; granddaughter, Rylie Paige Shepherd; sister, Eloise; half-brother, Dick Koeppen, Sr, and two nephews and a niece.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Jason Avery, the Reverend J. R. Spellman, and Pastor George D. Hinton officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary.
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In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ralph Shepherd Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. To benefit the Ralph Shepherd Memorial Fund, please make the check payable to Elliott Mortuary.