February 03, 1930 - September 07, 2018
In loving memory of Ralph Gilbert “Gil” Bontrager Gil was born to Ralph H. and Florance (Breeden) Bontrager February 3, 1930 in Ketchikan, Alaska. In 1931 his mother passed away. When he was about five years old his Breeden grandparents sold a horse to pay for his trip by passenger ship (by himself) to Seattle where they picked him up and he came to live with them on their farm in the Colfax area. Aunts and uncles helped with his care. He was their tenth child to raise only aunt Lola, still at home. He had good memories of his growing up-but his favorite was working for uncle Hollis on his farm and driving a wheat truck at age 14. One of his worst memories is of herding his grandmother’s turkeys. Ralph loved cars and as a young man liked to see how fast they could go with his friends. He also liked collecting and buying selling cars. Later in life he took up building and flying radio control airplanes; and enjoyed his friends at Four Mount Flyer Club. On February 20, 1954 he married Jeanette Snyder in Clarkston, WA. Together they raised three children, sons; Steve (Jan), and Douglass (June); daughter Joanne. They gave him five grandsons and seven and a half great grandchildren. After two years (1954-1956) in the Army, the family moved to Spokane, worked for Standard Oil, 7-Up and then owned three Husky gas stations. Later he purchased Generator Services Auto Electric and worked there until his retirement. Through the years the family enjoyed fishing, camping, boating and spending time at their Deer Lake cabin watching their children and grandchildren in their school activities. Gil and Jeanette took several long trips in their motor home to Alaska, Canada, and the western United States. Ralph will be greatly missed by his loving family and following his wishes no services will be held. The family will hold a private Memorial Service. Ralph was a kind and hardworking man and is an inspiration to us all. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children (911 W 5th Ave, Spokane, WA., 99204), because of his love of little children.
