November 12, 1928 to April 30, 2024
Ralph Dyer passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on the family farm he grew up on and lived at for the majority of his life. He was born to Donald and Susan Almeda Dyer on November 12, 1928. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1946 and was a star athlete, being inducted into the Knoxville Schools’ Athletic Hall of Fame. He was married to the love of his life Donna (Fee) Dyer on October 17, 1952. To this union Ralph and Donna had two sons, Monty and Tim Dyer.
After his service in the Korean War in the Air Force, Ralph and Donna settled in rural Pleasantville and raised Hereford Cattle and Ralph farmed. Ralph was active in the community including; 4-H Leader and Marion County Extension Board, Marion County Fair Board, Pleasantville School Board and the Election Board. He was active in the Pleasantville American Legion. He was a reputable registered Hereford Cattle Breeder since the 1950’s and was inducted into the Iowa Hereford Breeders Hall of Fame. Ralph had a life-long love of Hereford cattle and went to many Cattle Shows in Iowa and the nation.
Ralph had many activities that he enjoyed with family and friends. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and was a season ticket holder and attended games with his grandson, Jason Dyer. He loved to attend Sprint Car Races in Knoxville with his son, Tim Dyer, and volunteered for years at the races with the Marion Co. Fair Board. He really enjoyed going to sporting events, especially to see his grandchildren and great children compete, often with his daughter-in-law, Shirley Dyer. He went to the Pleasantville football games every Friday night. He loved visiting his family in Texas often.
He liked to host his family out on the farm in the summertime. He was an avid Birder and had Purple Martins, bird feeders and attracted orioles. He knew his timber surrounding his land and would hunt deer and mushrooms depending on the season. Ralph had many friends and loved the joy and laughter of children young and old.
Ralph is survived by his son, Tim (Rhonda) Dyer, Daughter in Law, Shirley Dyer, grandchildren Jason (Kristin) Dyer, Amanda (Luke) Dyer Fitzpatrick, Traci (Brandon) Dyer-Townsend, Rhiannon (Gus) Garcia, Taylor (fiancée Lauren) Dyer. He has six great grandchildren; Kaydin Dyer, Beka Dyer, Jensen Dyer, Treece Townsend, Granger Garcia and Brinleigh Townsend. He was close and considered Mark and Deb Core as his family and felt strong family bonds to their children; Bailey Boyert and Kennedy Phillips and their children Sloan, Brindle and Boston Boyert and Nixon Phillips. Those preceding him in death include his wife Donna Dyer, his son, Monty Dyer, his siblings Harold Dyer and Martha Langebartels and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Iowa 4-H Foundation to the “Ralph and Donna Dyer Scholarship”. Checks can be sent to Iowa 4-H Foundation, 1259 Stange Rd., Ames, Iowa 50011 and make sure and put Ralph Dyer Tribute. Or online to www.iowa4Hfoundation.org/make-a-difference/ways-to-give/donate-online Make sure and notate tribute to Ralph Dyer.