Obituary of Nancy Ann Ralston

Nancy Ann Ralston – June 18th, 1937 – November 1st, 2022

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Nancy Ann Ralston. She was 85 years old.

How does one summarize a life so rich and full, a woman so well loved and revered, in the space of a few paragraphs? Nancy touched the lives of so many, leaving a legacy of kindness, caring and love.  Nancy was born June 18th, 1937 in Gallipolis, Ohio to her parents, George and Dorothy Kaser. She found love early in life, marrying Jerry Hoselton. Her youthful husband was taken from her far too soon, leaving her alone to raise their three small children, Elizabeth, Jerry and Susan. Not long after, Nancy was fortunate to find the love of her life in a strapping young Marine by the name of Merle Ralston. Merle loved her fiercely and accepted her children as his own from the beginning, marrying his beautiful bride on December 23rd 1962, so that the children would have a daddy for Christmas. Merle and Nancy’s union was blessed with two more children, David and Terra. Sadly, David passed shortly after birth. Throughout the years Nancy would go on to have eight grandchildren, Jason, Jared, Rhiannon, Skylar, DJ, Jazmin, Kassidy and Seth, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Nancy spent her working years as a licensed daycare provider, eventually becoming an advocate and caregiver for abused and at-risk children. Throughout her life, anyone’s children were her children. Everyone in the neighborhood knew that there was always a warm hug and a hot meal available to all in the Ralston home. This continued on long past the time her children, and even grandchildren, grew up and started their own families. Many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have spent time in the Ralston’s home, growing up under her watchful and loving eye.    

Nancy enjoyed knitting, even turning her hobby into a business, Knits by Nancy. If you knew her, chances are pretty good you have been gifted one of her creations at some point along the way. Nancy also loved her soap operas and true crime shows. But the activity she loved more than all others was reading. Nancy didn’t go anywhere without her book, reading thousands upon thousands during her lifetime!

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Dorothy, her first husband Jerry, brothers Michael and Timothy, son David, daughter Terra, and great grandson Ian.

We would like to invite all of Nancy’s family and friends to attend a graveside service on November 17th, 2022 promptly at 11:15am. Services will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236, staging area C. There will be a Memorial Gathering immediately afterward at 9828 W 74th Pl Arvada CO 80005, all who knew and loved her are encouraged to attend.