Ralph E. McNulty

Ralph E. McNulty of Cozad passed away Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Emerald Care at the age of 87. Ralph was born May 16, 1932 on a farm North-East of Cozad to Everett and Elsye (Berryman) McNulty. He attended Pine Ridge School District 80 and graduated from Cozad High School with the class of 1949. On June 5, 1955, he was united in marriage to Connie Lou Sealander at Gothenburg, Nebraska. They lived on the farm for the first four years where he worked for his father, worked for Darr Alfalfa Dehy and for Leonard Hood Land Leveling. In 1959 they moved to Cozad where he worked for the John Deere Implement dealer as a mechanic for 2 years, then started at Monroe Auto Equipment Co in February, 1961 where he worked as a Tool and Die Maker for 33 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the Cozad United Methodist Church, Past Master of Meridian Lodge No. 188, A.F.&A.M. and a Past Deputy Grand Custodian of Nebraska Masons, Noble of the Mystic Shrine of Tehama Temple at Hastings, Past Worthy Patron of Chapter No. 74 Order of the Eastern Star, Charter member and past Organist and Trustee of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 2250, an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy, Past Worthy President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2922 where he was Trustee and Secretary for 25 years and was inducted into the Nebraska State Eagles Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Golden Rod Antique Car Club and had served on the governing board of the Cozad Grand Generation Center. Music was great part of his life. He played guitar with several Country-Western Bands for many years at the various clubs in the area. He also played trumpet with the Tehama Shrine Band, the Maverick Band, North Platte Municipal Band, Triple P Polka Band and the Windjammers Unlimited Circus Band. He and his wife liked to travel and did so for many years by motorcycle. They flew three times to Europe including two times to Ireland where he visited the home place of his great grandfather and met several cousins. All loved his devotion to family, his music and his sense of humor. He will be missed by many. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Elsye McNulty and brother-in-law, Bill "Billy" Stevenson. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Connie; son Michael (Ellen) McNulty of Seeley Lake, MT; daughter, Debra McDonald of Cozad; 4 grandchildren, Jon McNulty of Spanaway, WA, Stephanie McNulty of Bellevue, NE, Amy Longmore of Cozad, NE and Joshua McDonald of Cozad, NE; 11 great grandchildren, Kayla, Austin, Thahira, Nathaniel, Teagen, Zachary, Kaiden, Zayne, Gavin, Ciara and Sophia; sisters, Phyllis Stevenson of Cozad, NE, Sharon Koch of Cozad, NE and Janet Hand of Black Mountain, NC. Memorials are suggested to the family in his name for later designation. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Private family graveside services will be held Friday, March 20, 2020 at Cottonwood Cemetery with Pastor Doug Gahn officiating. Public visitation will be Thursday, March 19, 2020 from 1 pm to 7 pm at Berryman Funeral Home. Current CDC guidelines will be observed during this time, please refer to berrymanfuneralhome.com for information.