Isabelle "Issy" Ralston

Isabelle “Issy” E. Ralston, 96, of Grundy Center, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Arlington Place Assisted Living in Grundy Center while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. Visitation will be held on Sunday February 25th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center. The funeral service will be held on Monday February 26th at 10:30 AM at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center, preceded by an hour of visitation at the church. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Rosehill Cemetery in Grundy Center. Memorials may be directed to the family, where they will donate to a charity of their choice at a later date. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Issy was born on August 30, 1921 in Davenport, Iowa, the oldest of three children, to her parents Edward & Elizabeth (Simms) McCoy. As a child, her family moved to Milwaukee, WI. They later relocated to Conrad where Issy, attended school, graduating with the class of 1938. After high school, Issy attended Business College in Cedar Rapids, earning a degree in Business Administration. On September 28, 1941, Issy was united in marriage to Clarence Ralston in Napoleon, OH. Issy and Clarence relocated to New Jersey while Clarence served in the military. The couple raised their four children in the communities of Parkersburg, Garner and Grundy Center.

She began her administrative assistant career at Keith Meyers Enterprises in Grundy Center and later with Western Dressing, where she retired in 1991 at the age of 70.

Issy enjoyed collecting antique dolls, sewing, cross stitching, sports (Go Cubs!) and loved to travel with the New Perspectives Club. She was very active in her life from devoting her time to her grandchildren’s activities, visiting friends and the elderly in Grundy Center and staying as active and healthy as she could, in her 96 years.

She is survived by her children Sheri (Stan) Isvik of Garner, IA, Shelley (Dennis) Westerman of Grundy Center, IA Scott Ralston of Urbandale, IA and Steve (Vicki) Ralston of Dubuque, IA; grandchildren Heather Weaver of Bemidji, MN, Clint Weaver of Garner, IA, Hayley Weaver of Garner, IA & Erin Flage of Aplington, IA, Jenn (Kent) Venenga of Grundy Center,  Ryan (Connie Boelman) Westerman of Kansas City, MO, Lindsey Ralston of West Des Moines, IA, Caleb Ralston of Cedar Rapids, IA & Seth Ralston of Urbandale, IA and Abby Ralston & Clayton Ralston of Dubuque; great-grandchildren Sarah-Michele Weaver, Buck Weaver, Jake Atencio, Spencer Isvik, William Flage, Tyler & Paige Venenga, Maddie Dirksen and Colby & Addison Ralston. Issy was preceded in death by her husband Clarence; sister Marjorie Beaver and brother Ed McCoy; great-grandson Evan Grabko; daughter-in-law Carol Ralston.