Nov. 12, 1925 - July 15, 1988

Ralph Philip Surrena had worked as a surveyor for United Oil before moving in 1953 to Billings where he worked for the Rolling Pin Bakery and then as a truck driver for N.P. Transport and Burlington Northern. At the time of his illness, he was working for Eagle Systems.

He had a great love for being with people and a special place in his heart for his grandchildren. His hobby was wood crafting, and he enjoyed bowling with the bowling team at Central Lanes. He had been a Scout master and enjoyed camping, boating and working in his yard.

Mr. Surrena, 62, of 358 Winsor Circle N., died Tuesday morning in St. Vincent Hospital of cancer.

He was born in Sheridan County, Murphy Gulch, Wyo., a son of Brady and Lenora Surrena. He was educated in Murphy Gulch and graduated from Sheridan High School. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a signalman in the South Pacific.

On Nov. 21, 1945, he married Gertrude "Mickie" Dunkin in Hardin.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Marvin (Jeanette) Besel of 4147 June Circle; a son, Philip of Pleasanton, Calif.; his mother of Billings; six sisters, Mrs. Tony (Lenora) Burghart and Mrs. Ken (Marie) Erickson, both of Billings, Mrs. Jack (Bonnie) Teeling of Las Vegas, Nev., Mrs. Bob (Betty) Wilson of Thane, Wyo., Mrs. Don (Gladys) Woods of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Mrs. Robert (Bobbie Ann) Flockhart of Sheridan, Wyo.; a brother, Jess of Philadelphia, Pa.; and five grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the Dahl Funeral Chapel with burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The Billings Gazette - July 17, 1988