Ralph Courtney
January 11, 2014
Ralph commonly known as Fatso by family and friends was born to J.L. and Faye Courtney on August 11, 1937. He passed away January 11, 2014 at Lutheran Hospital.
He was a retired construction worker.
Fatso is survived by his wife, Hazel; daughters, Toni (Doodlebug) and Michelle (Terry); brothers, Jerry (Toni) and John (Rita); sister, Donna (Dick) Wolver; as well as four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bud, Jim, Hap and Ron; sisters, Shirley and Edna.
Memorial Service will be held from 2- 4 p.m., Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street in Des Moines.
He will be greatly missed by all.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the family in loving memory of Fatso.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Dick Rasmussen
01/17/2014
Hazel..Please accept my families deepest condolences for your loss. Fatso & family used to live next door to me and my parents on east grand.Fatso & crew poured the concrete for my parents porch..free of charge. My family has deep respect for the Courtney/Warren family. From Fatso to Doodlebug & Bootsy my family loves ya all. My family prays for Fatso to rest in peace.Fatso and all of your family has been great friends to my family. Thank You
The Rasmussen Family
Peggy Foreman-Trent
01/17/2014
Just wanted to let you all know how very sorry I was to hear about Fatso's passing. Sure will miss his smile and hug at the family reunion! My heart goes out to you.
Katie
01/16/2014
Papa, I will miss you so much. I laugh and cry every day thinking of some of the things you have said to me, and things we've done together. One of my favorite memories is you sharing your TUMS with me before you went to bed, after I would stay the night at you and nana's on Saturdays. Or the time when you hid in the dining room while I was walking in with my with my doughnuts and milk, and you scared me and my breakfast went flying.
I will miss your goofy sense of humor, and your hilarious words of wisdom.
I love you.
Carol Maxwell-Karnowski
01/16/2014
What a sense of humor
Fatso had. He always put you in a good mood and made you laugh. I use to tell him he looked like Burt Reynolds. He was a special guy for sure. I hope all of the good memories of him help the family through this sad time.
Barb Maxwell
01/16/2014
he was sush a fun lovable guy ,just mentioning his name bring,s a smile to your face .he will surely be missed but alway.,s remembered.
Scovel
01/15/2014
Uncle Fatso we will miss you so much, you have one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen you always made me feel special. RIP and we love you!!!!!!
Kay Hussman Hill
01/15/2014
I am so sorry for your loss Hazel and Fatso's family. He was a great guy. I am sure there is a big Eternal Birthday party in heaven that is going on.
John
01/15/2014
I miss you already Grandpa....All this is very hard to swallow You have touched so many ppl in so many different ways. There is not a person out there that knows you that isn't going to miss you. Love you
John
Lil Deb
01/15/2014
I am going to miss Uncle Fat but I know he is up there with the others. I love you Aunt Hazel
chris
01/15/2014
To my Grandfather...You always will be the best..Grandfather,Father,Best Friend a kid could ever ask for..missing you is an understatement ...I have always been more like you than you will ever know..and you have been all the above to me at one time or another in my life...
connie
01/15/2014
hazel and family
we are going to miss fat so much he was a wonderfull man always helping other people i know he was always there for my mom and all of us going to miss him so much love you all
connie jo
01/15/2014
donna dood and john
iam going to miss fat so much i now all of you will to but i think he is in a better place with the rest of the family and friends love you all
Esther Halterman, Tricia & Joselyn Hildebrand
01/15/2014
Hazel & the Courtney family, We are so sorry for your loss! It appears God has plans for a big gathering/picnic like the old Rose Bowl picnics we used to have - memories are forever and we have a lot! Thoughts & prayers with you & the family!
Dennis Hussman
01/14/2014
Hazel
Hope you can feel this hug from me
Fat was awesome... My brother's Best Friend
Bless your heart Hazel
RIP Fat ... save a place for me
scott @ shelly farnsworth
01/14/2014
Hazel so sorry for your loss i guess heaven needed another Angel so he took fat , my prayers are with you and your family .