Ralph Jess Hitchcock, 78, Charles City

Ralph Jess Hitchcock, 78, of Charles City, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City with Pastor Kim Raglan of Cedar Valley Community Church officiating. Burial will be held at 3:00p.m. at Laurens Cemetery in Laurens, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home with a Masonic Service held at 7:00p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota or to Abu Bekr transportation fund in Sioux City, Iowa.

Ralph was born on June 13, 1945, in Roswell, New Mexico to Harold and Elizabeth Ruth (Hemingway) Hitchcock. The family moved to Laurens, Iowa in 1949. He graduated from Laurens High School in 1964. He attended Waldorf College in Forest City and graduated in 1966. He then went to Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, completing his training in 1967.

He married Jane Waterman on September 25, 1976, in Pocahontas, Iowa. To this union, three sons were born: Harold Russell (1978-1978), Daniel Jess (1980), and Stephen Louis (1982). Ralph was a member of the Methodist Church. He was past master of Grace Lodge in Laurens; Sirius Lodge #294 in Nora Springs; Antioch Commandery in Mason City; Sioux City Scottish Rite; Charles Clyde Hunt #42 KYCH; and Grand Commandery of Iowa. He was a 50-year member of Sioux City Scottish Rite, and a member of Abu Bekr Shrine Temple in Sioux City.

Ralph enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandsons.

Living family members include his wife, Jane; two sons: Dan of Tiffin, and Steve (Molly) of Maple Grove, Minnesota; his grandsons: Rucker, Denver, and Cooper; sister, Joan Peterson of Sioux City; twin brother, Russell (Sue) Hitchcock of Spencer, and sister-in-law, Suzanne Hitchcock of North Oaks, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Harold; brother, Eugene Hitchcock; and brother-in-law, De Laine Peterson.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.