Ralpha Hausmann
Godfrey |
Ralpha Jane Hausmann, 84, passed away at 1:39 am on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois.
Ralpha was born on November 22, 1940 in Alton, IL to Ralph and Margaret (Gibbons) Echols. Ralph Echols passed away in 1940 and Margaret remarried John Hickey who raised Ralpha and her siblings on Central Ave in Alton. She married Charles "Randy" Hausmann at St. Mary's church on December 28, 1963 in Alton, Illinois. He preceded her in death.
Ralpha attended school at Southern Illinois University's Alton campus, where she received her bachelor’s degree and met Randy, her future husband. Ralpha was named homecoming queen at the SIU Alton campus prior to the building of the SIU Edwardsville campus. Ralpha later attended Washington University, where she received her Master’s in Social Work. Ralpha created the department of Social Work at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Granite City in 1968 and served as the director of that department until her retirement over 30 years later. As a social worker, she devoted her career to helping people with a focus on those who couldn't help themselves. A testament to Ralpha's personality is the fact that many of the employees she supervised went on to become life-long friends.
Ralpha was a vibrant and fun-loving personality who put her family and friends above all else. Ralpha had a great sense of humor and loved practical jokes. Through her engaging and welcoming personality, she attracted wonderful friends and was able to live a life surrounded by loyal and loving people. She loved hosting a variety of events at the family home on Euclid Place - from holiday dinners to Christmas-time cookie parties. She was an avid runner and was a member of the Alton Road Runners club for many years.
After retirement, Ralpha and Randy moved to Branson, MO where they lived on Table Rock Lake for nearly 20 years before returning to Alton in 2013. They loved hosting friends and family on the lake to fish, recreate, and enjoy the lakefront setting. Ralpha and Randy enjoyed traveling of all sorts from European river cruises to visiting their sons in Chicago and Washington state. They had two grandchildren, Liam and Nora, whom they dearly loved and showered with attention the way only grandparents can.
Ralpha was a long-time member of St. Mary's Catholic church in Alton, Illinois.
Ralpha is survived by two sons, Ben (Michelle) Hausmann of White Salmon, WA, Marc Hausmann of Chicago, IL. Grandchildren, Liam and Nora. Siblings, Kathy Reilly, Patti (Rollin) Martin. Rebecca "Becky" (Gary) Osborne, James "Jimmy" (Marcy) O'Hickey, Along with many friends and extended family including a dear cousin John Garvey who assisted her in innumerable ways later in her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Walter Hickey.
A Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am at St. Mary’s church in Alton on March 31, 2025.
Inurnment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Godfrey, IL.
Luncheon to follow at 12:00pm at Mac's Timeout in Alton, IL.
Memorials are suggested to St. Mary's Church in Alton or St Jude's Research Hospital.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
