In loving memory: New fire department, ambulance signs honor former volunteer

By: 
Michaela Kendall

GRUNDY CENTER - Whether it was a 3 a.m. house fire or an omelet breakfast fundraiser, longtime Grundy Center Fire Department volunteer Tim Ralston was always there to answer the call, and show up to help.
 
A lifelong resident of Grundy Center, Tim first joined the fire department as a volunteer when he turned 21, and was a loyal and dedicated member of the department up until he passed away in January of 2017.
 
Throughout his nearly 40 years of service, Tim helped out in any way he could; he drove the ambulance for a while, battled fires, flipped omelets for fundraisers, drove the firetruck and tossed candy at parades and even spent some of his free time doing janitorial work at the former ambulance department facility.
 
“He was a great fireman and a great volunteer,” said Nathan Kappel, Grundy Center Fire Chief. “He always showed up, he was a hard worker, and he was a great mentor for the younger guys on the department. He was always so dependable. Anytime you needed him, you could count that he would show up.”
 
After he passed away, Tim’s wife Coleen approached Kappel about donating some money to the department in honor of Tim, so that the department could do something good with the money or purchase something they needed.
 
For the full story, see this week's Grundy Register. Subscribe by calling (319) 824-6958 or clicking here. 

The Grundy Register

601 G. Avenue - P.O. Box 245
Grundy Center, IA 50638
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