Svatos
Ralph Charles
May 26, 1932 - June 5, 2018
Ralph Svatos passed away peacefully June 05, 2018 at Continuing Care in Drumheller, Alberta at the age of 86. Ralph was born May 26, 1932 at Bracken, Saskatchewan. Ralph is predeceased by his mother Anna “Minnie” (Kleespies), father Frank Svatos, wife Verna (Ostrander), brothers Edward, Lawrence, Joe, sister Katherine as well as two sons, Douglas and Kelly. Ralph is survived by his children Graham, Donald, Gary, Sandra, Jerry (Nancy) and grandchildren Ryan and Jessica. He is also survived by Verna’s brothers Nelson (Myrtle) Ostrander, Wayne (Hazel) Ostrander and numerous nieces and nephews. Dad had a rough beginning in life with his mother’s passing when he was 3 years old, the family moved to Oyen during the economic depression of the 1930’s to live with his Uncle Joe. From there on, Dad lived with and worked for other farmers in the area while his father was always working away as a carpenter throughout the Oyen area. Dad started a trucking business hauling grain, lumber, coal, livestock, and gravel. Dad met Verna Ostrander, a nurse in Oyen, whom he married in 1956. Over the next ten years, the couple had seven children while Dad continued trucking and expanding his farm. The burden of supporting a large family forced Dad to work very hard and learn how to get by with little resources. Later in life, Dad would often reminisce about his trucking days such as when his farm was hailed out and his 1956 Dodge three ton with a 354 Hemi saved him from losing everything he worked for. Dad was a humble and honest man much like the many lifelong friends he had in the Oyen area. The Svatos family moved to Drumheller in 1972 where the kids attended school but continued to farm south of Oyen, eventually buying farmland in the Craigmyle area and farming both locations. There was always something happening at home where everyone was welcome and usually there was extra kids around. Dad and Mom enjoyed trips to Vegas and Reno as well as the occasional trip out to B.C. and Saskatchewan. Ralph did not have many summer hobbies, but he enjoyed visiting with friends, attending auction sales and having coffee with the usual group at the Co-op and IGA in Drumheller as well as his friends at Yavis’s Restaurant and the Longbranch Saloon. Dad was always happiest when walking into his wheat fields with heads of wheat going through his fingers, the combines running and the grain trucks full. A memorial service will be held for Ralph at 2:00 PM on June 23rd, at the Oyen Seniors Recreation Centre in Oyen Alberta (219 2nd Street West) with lunch to follow. MacLean’s Funeral Homes of Oyen are in care arrangements.
