SMITH CENTER - Pauline (Mann) Ralston, born on the family farm southeast of Kensington on March 26, 1915, was the second child and only daughter of Gustave and Alice (Detwiler) Mann. She died November 29, 2012, having lived more than 97 years.
She attended grade school at Cedar Ridge Country School a mile northwest of the farm. She had to quit school during her sophomore year to take care of her dad and brothers after her mother died.
Pauline married Edwin Ralston on September 6, 1936 at St. John Lutheran Church of Kensington. Rev. E. A. Stein performed the ceremony. He also baptized and confirmed both Pauline and Edwin on December 31, 1939. This union was blessed by the birth of daughter Sharon in 1941. They continued to live on the Mann family farm until moving to Smith Center in 1976.
Pauline spent many hours on the farm sewing and doing embroidery and was a very talented seamstress. She would often sew from dawn to dusk. She would sew Sharon’s clothing while Sharon did the housework and helped her father outdoors. When Pauline was not sewing she was tending her large garden and fruit trees. She also spent many hours cleaning the fish and wildlife that her husband and grandsons came home with, along with the chickens that they raised. After moving to town she was active in a women’s exercise group and the 60 Plus Club. She learned to drive at age 60.
Pauline and Edwin were privileged to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in September, 1986.
Pauline’s health began to fail in September, 2012. After a short stay at the hospital she moved to Deseret Nursing Home, where she lived until her death.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents Gustave and Alice Mann, her husband Edwin in 1988, her brothers Louis and Willis, and her sisters-in-law Pearl Wangerin, Juanita Hinshaw, Esther Mann, and Melda Mann. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Meyer and husband Gilbert, grandchildren Jeffrey (Dawn) Meyer, Jerron (Carol) Meyer, and Jennifer (Gary) Headrick. Also surviving are seven great grandchildren: Matthew (friend Jasmine), Christopher (fiancé Kiley), Jayden, Addison, Jessica, Jarek, and Alexis; one great, great grandchild, Hayden, sister-in-law Lee Ann Rittgers, plus many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Celebration of life services will be held at 2PM, Monday December 3, 2012 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington, KS with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 5PM until 8PM December 2, 2012 at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center, KS.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the St. John Lutheran Church and can be sent in care of the mortuary.