Ralph W. Hoth, 90, of Sumner, died Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at the Hillcrest Home in Sumner.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2013, St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, Iowa with Rev. Susan Friedrich officiating.  Interment will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Sumner.  Friends may call from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2013, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Memorials may be made to either the Hillcrest Home or St. John Lutheran Church, both in Sumner, or to Iowa Hospice, 626 Commercial St., Waterloo, Iowa 50701.

Ralph W. Hoth, son of Alvin John and Anna Sarah Schumacher Hoth, was born February 6, 1923, in rural Sumner, Iowa. He was baptized by Rev. P.H. Hilligardt, pastor of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, rural Sumner. He was confirmed April 11, 1937, by Rev. C.J. Mardorf at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner.

Ralph was married to Betty Roswag on January 31, 1954, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mason City, Iowa by Rev. J. Enderson.

He received his education in the rural Bremer County Schools, then worked with his father on the family farm.

After marriage Ralph farmed seven years southwest of Sumner. In March of 1961, he established his farm northwest of Sumner doing general farming. Later, he certified his Poland China swine herd and sold hogs to farmers in northeastern Iowa.

He was lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner where he served on the church council. 

In addition to his wife, Betty of Sumner, he is survived by two sisters, Ruth Weber of Bettendorf, Iowa and Marilyn (Ralph) Gordon of Cheshire, Oregon; one brother, Larry (Marilee) Hoth of Euless, Texas; and several nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Agnes Huebner Hoth; one brother, Lyle Hoth; one brother-in-law, Herbert Weber; and one nephew, Dennis Gordon.