Ralph Eilert

Ralph Henry Eilert, 85, of Topeka, passed away Monday, April 9, 2012 at his home. He was born April 26, 1926 in Beloit, KS to Anthony and Anna Marie (Budke) Eilert. Ralph was raised on the family farm south of Beloit during the dust bowl era. He attended elementary school in a one-room school house and graduated from St. John’s High School in Beloit. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean conflict. On October 8, 1951 he married Marjorie Ann Arens at St. Johns Catholic Church in Beloit. They celebrated their 60th anniversary last year. Ralph worked as an air traffic controller at Phillip Billard airport in Topeka. Upon his retirement from the FAA he raised registered Simmental cattle. He was presented the Bankers Soil Conservation award for good stewardship and land management. He took pride in obtaining his commercial pilot license and had a love of flying. Ralph was a very active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and recently celebrated 56 years of sobriety. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Council 8411. Ralph is survived by his wife, Marjorie; his children, Joyce Eilert-Jones, and her husband, Brian, Axtell, KS; Nancy Way, Topeka; Tony Eilert, and his wife, Tammy, Topeka; Dennis Eilert, and his wife, Ginele, Puyallup, WA; and Andy Eilert, and his wife, Stephanie, Stilwell, KS; and 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are, George Eilert, Donald Eilert, Joan Pahls, Anna Marie Corpstein, and Maxine Carrico, as well as many, many nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by son, Gregory, and four brothers and one sister. A parish rosary will be prayed Friday at 5:30 at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd. Topeka KS 66614; visitation will follow until 8 p.m. Mr. Eilert will lie in state Saturday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beloit, KS from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and a parish rosary will be prayed at 10:30. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday at the church, with burial to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to NAMI Topeka-CIT or Cornerstone Charitable Foundation, (Beloit) sent in care of the funeral home.

Ralph Eilert

April 26, 1926 - April 9, 2012