Clifford E. Ralstin died Monday, July 16, 2018, at Yates Center Health and Rehabilitation, in Yates Center. He was 78.

He was born March 8, 1940 in Avard, OK, to Freeman Hugh and Mary Ollibelle (Husky) Ralstin.

When he was two years old, the family moved to Syracuse, where he attended school. After school he worked for area farmers and ranchers for a short time before working for the Granada and Holly, CO, school districts. Then he began a career with Farmland Industries that would take him to three states culminating in a managerial position at the Woodson County Co-op, in Yates Center. After leaving Farmland in 1982, he returned to Syracuse and went to work for Syracuse Feeders feedlot running heavy equipment. He spent 25 years working for the feedlot before his retirement in 2007. In October of 2012 he returned to Yates Center to be closer to his boys.

In April of 1961 he married Lavonne Sadie Rogers, of Lamar, CO, and to this union three sons were born. They later divorced.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing and having many adventures with his sons through the years. He was a 50 plus year member of the Granada Colorado Masonic Lodge while also being a member of Jay-Cees and the Syracuse Moose Lodge. He spent many evenings at senior dances all across western Kansas during his later years. He never met a stranger and would talk agriculture for as long as anyone wanted.

He is survived by his sons, Clifford Ralstin, Jr. and wife Kim, of Yates Center, Randy Ralstin, of Carbondale, and Vance and Theresa Ralstin, of Americus; three granddaughters, Kayla Taylor and husband Cody and Caitlin Ralstin, both of Yates Center and Brooke Ralstin and fiancee Eric Huddleston, of Emporia; two great-grandchildren, Carly and Aiden Taylor, of Yates Center; a sister Maxine Ralstin, of Syracuse; two nieces; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Hugh Ralstin, of Battleground, IN.

A private service is planned at a later date before being laid to rest with his parents in Stanton County.