Ralph Herbert Gildehaus
<p>Ralph Gildehaus, age 72, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Mr. Gildehaus, son of the late Fred Gildehaus and Odelia (née Holdmeyer), was born January 9, 1953, in Washington, MO. He received his education at St Francis Borgia, class of 1971. Ralph was a lifelong resident of Washington and loved his hometown.</p><p><br></p><p>Ralph was a well-known Realtor and Broker in the area, most recently with Remax Today in New Haven, MO and was a former president of the Franklin County Board of Realtors. Ralph served on many boards in Washington and Franklin County including the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Washington board, and the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity board. Ralph gave countless hours in service to others.</p><p><br></p><p>Ralph was an avid gardener and loved to grow and share his many beautiful flowers with friends and family. He loved to bake and grill and enjoyed life with his family and friends on the patio.</p><p><br></p><p>Ralph is survived by Kathy (nee' Hopen), his wife and best friend of 50 years. He is also survived by his children: Jason Gildehaus and wife Sarah (nee' Lucas), Danny Gildehaus and his wife Teri (nee' Farr), and Jessica Gomes and her husband, Adriano; five grandsons: Brandon and special friend Lucy Middleton, Aidan, Logan, Justin, and Austin Gildehaus. He is survived by his two brothers: Charles and wife Gerry Gildehaus, and Fred and wife Celeste Gildehaus; three sisters: Gertrude Hamlin, Rosemary Meyer, and Judy and husband Jim Derner. He also leaves behind his wonderful nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends whom he shared his life with.</p><p><br></p><p>Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Odelia Gildehaus; one brother in-infancy, Bernard; his brother and sister-in-law, Virgil and Maribeth Gildehaus; and two brothers-in-law: Faris Hamlin and Larry Meyer.</p><p><br></p><p>Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Washington, MO. Interment will be held in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held privately.</p><p><br></p><p>In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the City of Washington Parks Department toward the purchase of a memorial bench (checks payable to CoW-Parks Dept.) or to the St. Francis Borgia Food Pantry.</p><p><br></p><p>The Gildehaus family is served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, MO.</p>Obituary
Ralph Gildehaus, age 72, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Mr. Gildehaus, son of the late Fred Gildehaus and Odelia (née Holdmeyer), was born January 9, 1953, in Washington, MO. He received his education at St Francis Borgia, class of 1971. Ralph was a lifelong resident of Washington and loved his hometown.
Ralph was a well-known Realtor and Broker in the area, most recently with Remax Today in New Haven, MO and was a former president of the Franklin County Board of Realtors. Ralph served on many boards in Washington and Franklin County including the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Washington board, and the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity board. Ralph gave countless hours in service to others.
Ralph was an avid gardener and loved to grow and share his many beautiful flowers with friends and family. He loved to bake and grill and enjoyed life with his family and friends on the patio.
Ralph is survived by Kathy (nee' Hopen), his wife and best friend of 50 years. He is also survived by his children: Jason Gildehaus and wife Sarah (nee' Lucas), Danny Gildehaus and his wife Teri (nee' Farr), and Jessica Gomes and her husband, Adriano; five grandsons: Brandon and special friend Lucy Middleton, Aidan, Logan, Justin, and Austin Gildehaus. He is survived by his two brothers: Charles and wife Gerry Gildehaus, and Fred and wife Celeste Gildehaus; three sisters: Gertrude Hamlin, Rosemary Meyer, and Judy and husband Jim Derner. He also leaves behind his wonderful nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends whom he shared his life with.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Odelia Gildehaus; one brother in-infancy, Bernard; his brother and sister-in-law, Virgil and Maribeth Gildehaus; and two brothers-in-law: Faris Hamlin and Larry Meyer.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Washington, MO. Interment will be held in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the City of Washington Parks Department toward the purchase of a memorial bench (checks payable to CoW-Parks Dept.) or to the St. Francis Borgia Food Pantry.
The Gildehaus family is served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, MO.
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Washington, MO 63090
Washington, MO 63090