Obit: Widmer, Ralph L. (1915 - 2006)

Contact: History Buffs

Surnames: Widmer, Vulliet, Bodden, Wray, Aderman

----Sources: The Green Bay News Chronicle (Green Bay, Brown County, Wis.) 11/21/2006

Widmer, Ralph L. (30 Oct. 1915 - 20 Nov. 2006)

Ralph L. Widmer, 91, of 118 Church St., Theresa, died on Nov. 20, 2006, at his home.

He was born on Oct. 30, 1915, in Loyal, Wis., the son of John O. and Marie Vulliet Widmer. On Sept. 6, 1952, he married Helen Bodden at Theresa.

Ralph was a graduate of Mayville High School and the Dairy Short Course at UW- Madison. He was past president of Widmer's Cheese Cellars, Inc., of Theresa. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Theresa, Theresa American Legion Post 270, an honorary lifetime member of Southeast Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, a former member of the Theresa Fire Department and served on the Theresa Library Board.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy on the USS Superior AM-311 Minesweeper in the Southwest Pacific and participated in the battle of Okinawa.

Ralph was a gentle, thoughtful and caring man, who was a role model to all who knew him. Everyone was his friend. Ralph was very proud of his Swiss heritage.

Survivors include his brother, Jim (Shirley) Widmer of Theresa; his sister-in-law, Minnie Widmer of Theresa; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Helen in 1963; one brother, John; and one sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Gordon Wray of Arlington, Va.

Services: The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Theresa. The Rev. David Aderman will officiate, and burial will be at St. Theresa Memorial Garden. Graveside military rites will be conducted by Theresa American Legion Post 270.

Visitation: Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Theresa.

The family extends much appreciation to Eiko, Ralph's devoted caregiver for the last four years of his life, as well as St. Agnes Hospice Hope.

Koepsell Funeral Home of Mayville is serving the family.