Ralph Wendell Mahoney, 85 (one day short of his 86 ^th birthday) of Fulton, SD passed away on January 25, 2021 at his residence, under hospice care, after a long courageous battle with cancer.  A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell, SD.

Ralph was born to Wendell and Mabel (Naser) Mahoney in Hanson County.  He attended and graduated from Plano School.  A couple years after high school he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mary (Gebel) in 1955.  They celebrated their 65 ^th wedding anniversary in 2020.  Ralph joined the army National Guard in 1954 shortly after graduating high school and retired in 1990 from his full-time civil service job as well as weekend guard.  But in his heart, his true occupation was being a farmer.  When he was in a tractor, he was a happy man.  Even though his health made it challenging, Ralph farmed up until he passed away.

Ralph and Mary moved into their farmhouse in 1958 and lived there until his death.  He has worn many hats over the years, a camper business owner, a diesel mechanic, a veteran, a farmer, a pilot flying a crop duster in his younger years and later flying just for fun.  But his most interesting and lifelong title was a buffalo rancher.  Ralph and Mary raised buffalo from 1963 until one year ago when they sold their last remaining few.  Buffalo had become such a big part of Ralph's life; it was a sad day when the last few head of buffalo were loaded up and going to their new home.  In the years Ralph raised buffalo, he won many trophies and awards, showing them at the Denver stock show and the Black Hills stock show.  Ralph was a long-time member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Grateful for having shared his life are his loving wife of 65 years, Mary, his six children, Doug (Benita), Deb (Doug) Abeln, Lisa (Craig) McManus, Rhonda (John) Mahoney-King, Ranae (Brian) Phinney, LaRee (Gary) Popp and five sisters.  Some of his biggest joys in life were his 15 grandchildren, Tiffany, Mark, Brant, Kirby, Kassie, Chet, Matt, Jace, Jordan, Taylor, Sydney, Grace, Paige, Nathan, Hannah, and his 12 great grandchildren.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and an infant sister.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Holy Family Catholic Church. Condolences may be sent to Mary Mahoney, 41358 247th St, Fulton, SD 57340.