Mechanicsville Fire and Ambulance Volunteers Inc.

Lance Douglas Ralston, 33 of Mechanicsville IA, formerly of Springville IA, died Thursday, July 24,2003, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. 

Surviving lance are his parents Doug and Mareta of Springville, sister Lisa Stephenson, her husband Brett, their son Jack Douglas of Cedar Rapids, and the entire town of Mechanicsville. Also surviving are numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Preceding Lance in death are his infant brother, Matthew Ralph, maternal grandparents Ralp and Ann Pederson, and fraternal grandparents Ralph and Grace Ralston.

Lance was born January 20, 1970 in Cedar Rapids, the sond of Douglas and Mareta Pederson Ralston. He graduated from Springville High School in 1988. Following high school Lance became a certified Paramedic Specialist and served the last 10 years with the Mechanicsville Fire and Ambulance Volunteers as a Fire Fighter and Paramedic Specialist.  Lance previously served on the Springville Fire Department and the Lisbon-Mt. Vernon Ambulance Service. He was a certified Firefighter I and Instructor and member of the Iowa Fireman's Association.

Lance gave selflessly of himself to others, helping family, friends, and comrades with all tasks imaginable. He was loved by young and old alike, serving as "Uncle Lance" to children too numerous to name. Lances sense of humor, memory, and ability to tell stories, was legendary. Lance was a beloved son, brother, and uncle. a fiercely loyal friend amd colleague, a skilled Paramedic and teacher, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Lances Fire Fighter and Paramedic numbers (14 and 308) have since been retired in his honor.