Ralph W. Apland, 78, of Spearfish, SD, died Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at Dorsett Regional Senior Care in Spearfish.

Funeral services will be at 1:00PM on Saturday, February 16th 2008 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, with Pastor Dan Kent officiating, burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

Ralph was born March 9, 1929 in Canistota, SD, to John and Dorothy Apland. He grew up on a ranch west of Belle Fourche, SD. He married Joyce M. Blando on February 14th 1949 and to this union 6 children were born. They resided in Moskee, WY, for some time until moving and making their home in Spearfish. Ralph worked for Homestake Forrest Products in Spearfish until he began a partnership cutting timber with Wheeler Post and Pole called Timber Products. In 1978 he began driving truck for Sammons Trucking Company until his retirement. Ralph loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joyce in 1980, 2 brothers, Kenneth and Larry, 1 sister, Joyce Vromen, and one grandson, Christopher Apland.

Grateful for having shared his life are Toni (Ken) Henderson of Clarkston, Wash, Bob (Mary) Apland of Arlee, Mont, Karen (Mike) Case of Hermosa, SoDak, John (Gail) Apland of Fulton, MS, Col. Steven (Fran) Apland of Eagle River, Alaska, Carol Ann (Joe) Duvall of Spearfish, SoDak, as well as 20 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.