Ralph Dean Messerli, 85, of Fairfield, IA passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Grand Living at Indian Creek Retirement Home in Cedar Rapids.
Funeral services honoring his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with Pastor Danny Cary officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery immediately following. A visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the funeral home with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions in Ralph’s honor can be directed to the Trojan Athletic Booster Club, Jefferson County Park, or the Fairfield Public Library and can be mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Ralph Messerli was born on February 10, 1941, in Versailles, Missouri, to Karl and Grace Messerli. At the age of two, his family moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he was raised. His father, Karl, was both a farmer and a brakeman for the Union Pacific Railroad, while his mother, Grace, was a homemaker who also worked at the Iowa School for the Deaf.
Ralph was one of nine children, with seven brothers and one sister. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Chuck, Paul, Loyd, Bill, Ray, and Mickey. He is survived by his brothers, Larry of Minnesota and Ken of Missouri.
Ralph attended a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs in 1958. It was there that he met the love of his life, Linda Lou Teague, who would later become his wife.
Following high school, Ralph attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, from 1958 to 1962. During his college years, he wrestled all four years, becoming the program’s first four-year letter winner. As a senior, he served as team captain and qualified for the National Wrestling Tournament. He graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Physical Education. In recognition of his accomplishments, Ralph was later inducted into the Northwest Missouri State Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Ralph and Linda were married on August 12, 1961, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades. Together they raised three children: David (Diane) Messerli, Darin (Teresa) Messerli, and Dana (Rod) Miller. They were blessed with eight grandchildren: Katharine (Chad) Smith, Elizabeth Messerli, Keely Messerli, Bryant Messerli, Zach (Kathryn) Miller, Maverick Miller, Lindsey Miller, and Jake Miller; and three great-grandchildren: Harper Smith, Eden Miller, and Ari Miller.
After graduating from Northwest Missouri State in 1962, Ralph and Linda remained in Maryville for a year. Ralph served as Assistant Dean of Men and Assistant Wrestling Coach for the Bearcats, began work toward his master’s degree, and the couple welcomed the beginning of their family. They then moved to Eldon, Iowa, where Ralph spent two years teaching, counseling, and coaching at Cardinal High School.
The family then settled in Fairfield, Iowa, where Ralph began what would become a distinguished 38-year career with the Fairfield Community School District. He was hired as a guidance counselor and head wrestling coach at Fairfield High School. After his stint as the FHS wrestling coach, he coached wrestling at Parsons College before transitioning away from coaching and into the assistant principal and eventually principal positions. He was the FHS principal for many years and retired from that position.
Throughout his career, Ralph remained committed to lifelong learning. In addition to his bachelor’s degree, he earned a Master of Education from the University of Missouri, a Secondary Principal Certificate from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and a Superintendent Certificate from the University of Iowa.
After concluding his coaching career, Ralph remained active in the sport he loved by becoming a wrestling official. He officiated countless Iowa high school duals, tournaments, and state tournaments, as well as the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Tournament when it was held in Cedar Falls. In recognition of his outstanding service, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame.
Ralph and Linda both retired in June 2004 after 38 years of dedicated service to education. Retirement did not slow Ralph down. For the next 12 years, he served as an adjunct professor for four colleges and universities, supervising student teachers throughout southeast Iowa.
A devoted community leader, Ralph served on numerous school and civic boards, including the Fairfield Wall of Honor Committee, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Board, the Fairfield Community School District Board of Education, and the Drusilla F. Clark Education Foundation Board.
Above all, Ralph treasured time with his family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, caring for their acreage, and tackling a variety of creative and community projects. He had a deep love for Jesus, a genuine love for people, and a lifelong passion for education, recognizing excellence in others, and serving his community. His integrity, kindness, and dedication left a lasting impact on the countless students, colleagues, friends, and family members whose lives he touched.
