RALENE ELAINE OBERLECHNER-GIMPLE Ralene Elaine Oberlechner- Gimple, 59 years old of Lone Jack, Mo., died September 22, 2016, at Estes Park Colo., doing what she loved, taking pictures in the mountains. Ralene was born on March 26, 1957, in Kansas City to Ralph and Corinne Oberlechner (Meltis). Her dad was a great man who was German/Dutch-Italian descent and her mom was half Greek and her best friend throughout her life. Ralene was very proud of her heritage and her favorite movie was "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Ralene graduated from Raytown High School in 1975. During high school she loved taking her friends for Jeep rides and being part of the newspaper staff, where she was a feature writer and photographer. During her school years she was involved in anything and everything and stated, "I loved school and hated for it to be the weekend." She went on to get her Associate of Arts Degree in 1978 from Longview College and attended one year of college at CMSU. She held several jobs including photographer, preschool teacher, photography teacher, and with the Prudential Insurance Company, before graduating from Sanford Brown College of Practical Nursing in 1993 as an LPN. Her first medical job was at Pepple and Mundehenke, a Health Midwest office in Blue Springs, Mo. In 1996, she turned her mom's home into a residential care facility, Guardian Angel, so that she could take care of her aging mom and Aunt Frances. Ralene's dream of becoming a mother came true in 2006 when she adopted three children from Colombia, South America. She fulfilled more of her dream by marrying Joseph Gimple in 2008. In 2013 Ralene graduated with her Bachelors of Arts in Health Care Management and in 2015 she completed Community of Christ seminary both from Graceland University. Her desire for learning never faded and she soon began working on her master's degree in Religion. She also aspired to become an RN. There was never any task too big that she couldn't handle. Ralene has touched so many lives with her outgoing, fun loving, caring and unforgettable personality. She lived to love and help others. She was a wonderful mother, wife, aunt and friend to many. Ralene was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Larry and William Oberlechner. Ralene is survived by her husband, Joseph Gimple, and three children: Nataly and a grandson on the way, Deibys, and Yamile Oberlechner of Lone Jack, Mo.; brother, JP (Pattie) Oberlechner of Lake Winnebago, Mo., and their children and grandchildren: Paul (Cali) Oberlechner and daughters Celine and Ceanna; Jessica (Billy) Oldham and daughter Libby; Lisa (Tim) Polta; brother Richard (Bonnie) Oberlechner of Peculiar, Mo.; brother, Lynn (Jackie) Oberlechner of Baltimore, Md.; cousin, Gary (Marcia) Diebel of Lewisville, Texas; cousin, Corinne (Royce) Ruegsegger of Council Grove, Kan.; and many more beloved family, friends and pets. Ralene, you will never be forgotten and will remain the "star" of the slideshow in our hearts forever, watching over us above with your beloved parents and grandparents. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Stone Church, 1012 West Lexington Avenue, Independence, MO 64050.