Ralph Jilg

Ralph Jilg of Silver Creek died Thursday, January 22, 2026 in Lincoln.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am Tuesday, January 27th at St. Lawrence Church in Silver Creek. There will be a Vigil service at 5:00 pm Monday at St. Lawrence Church with visitation to follow from 6-8 pm, also at the church. Visitation continues Tuesday morning from 9:30 am until service time at the church. Military Honors by Silver Creek American Legion Post 263 and members of the US Army Honor Guard. Interment is in the Silver Creek Cemetery.

Ralph Robert Jilg was born in Clarks, NE on February 13, 1942 to Leo Otto and Mary E. (Loebe) Jilg. He rented a barbershop in Silver Creek, Nebraska.

Ralph was the 9th of 10 children to this union. Following his mother’s death, Ralph was raised by his sister Lucetta and all his other sisters.

Ralph graduated from Clarks High School in 1960. He went on to Barber School in Omaha and from there he ended up in Grand Island, cutting hair with Don Ring. Shortly after, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Shreveport, Louisiana. Following his honorable discharge in March 1966, he returned to Nebraska and opened a barbershop in Silver Creek. It was there that he met the love of his life, Brenda Alexander. They were married April 20, 1968, at St. Lawrence Church. To provide for his family of five, Ralph also worked at Champion Homes in Central City until the plant's closure.

A dedicated community member, Ralph coached his sons, Dan and Darin, in Little League, Pony, Midgets, and Legion baseball. He also assisted Roger Grossnicklaus in coaching his daughter, Rhonda, in fastpitch softball and continued coaching Legion teams for many years. In honor of his dedication to youth sports, the local ballfield was named Ralph R. Jilg Field.

Ralph was a member of American Legion Post 263 and served as a trustee and Parish Council member for St. Lawrence Church. His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren. He was also a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Ralph is survived by:

Wife Brenda

Daughter Lauri (Rudy) Novacek

-Grandchildren MacKenzie (Kyle) Krejci and Miranda

Son Daniel (Teri) Jilg

-Grandchildren Dylan and Rachel, Step Kyle (Brittany), Josh and Zach

Daughter Lisa Jilg

-Grandchildren Logan and Lukas (Nikki)

Daughter Rhonda (Dan) Riha

-Grandchildren Alyssa and Aidan (Lexi)

Son Darin (Jessica) Jilg

-Grandchildren Bennett and Jacob

Sisters Dorothy Sheets and Carol Cortinas

Sister-in-laws Betty Lou (Dennis) Hinkle and Daphne Alexander

1 Great Grandchild

9 Step-Great Grandchildren

He is preceded in death by:

Parents Leo and Mary Jilg

Brothers: Leo Jr and Francis Jilg

Sisters: Lucetta (Ken) Adkisson, Mary (Roy) Wyman, Rose (Bill) Irvine, Geraldine (Larry) Kuhn, and Eleanor Bender.

Brother-in-laws: Fred Alexander, Byron Sheets, and John Cortinas

Sister-in-laws: Leah Alexander and Shirley Alexander