Surnames: Gaetz, Brown, Schoelzel, Wolfe, Delo, Bowe, Hamus, Pozorski, Clintsman, Hill, Kuehling, Hausman, Laper

----Source: Loyal TRG 02 April 2008

Gaetz, Ralph L. #3 (29 JAN 1933 - 28 MAR 2008)

Ralph L. Gaetz, 75, Spencer, Wisconsin, died Friday, March 28, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield, of a heart attack. He had courageously battled lung cancer for 2 ½ years. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Riplinger. Rev. Rebekah Tarras officiated. Burial was at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Riplinger. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Joel Delo, Travis Gaetz, Jordan and Tyler Mueller, Nathan Bowe, Tanner Gaetz and Kyle Pozorski.

Ralph was born on Jan. 29, 1933, in the town of Unity, to William and Myrtle (nee Brown) Gaetz. He was the eldest of six children and attended Riplinger and Unity schools. Ralph worked for the cheese factory and later at the box factory both in Riplinger. He moved to Milwaukee for a year and worked at the chain belt foundry. On April 9, 1953, he went into the army and was honorably discharged on April 5, 1955. He served 13 months in Korea. He married Audris (nee Schoelzel) Wolfe on Dec. 22, 1956. He then worked at Mandels Cheese Factory, Unity, making cheese and hauling can milk. In 1966 they purchased the homestead farm from his parents and continued farming until retirement in 1997. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 358 of Unity and was serving as commander. Ralph was a town board supervisor for the town of Unity for many years. He was a past president of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Riplinger. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006.

Survivors include his wife, Audris Gaetz, Spencer; his seven children, Nancy (Rodney) Delo, Loyal; Cindy (Larry) Bowe, Loyal; Steve Gaetz, Spencer; Sharon (Larry) Hamus, Spencer; Karen (Andrew) Mueller, Loyal; Michael (Melissa) Gaetz, Spencer; Kathi (Keith) Pozorski, Marathon; 14 grandchildren, Joel and Amber Delo, Ashley (Dave Jr.) Clintsman, Melissa (fiancé Michael Delo) Gaetz, Travis (fiancé Amanda Hill) Gaetz, Jessica and Jenna Hamus, Jordan and Tyler Mueller, Nathan Bowe, Tanner and Erica Gaetz, Katie and Kyle Pozorski, great-granddaughter Alyssa Clintsman, brother Dave (Mary) Gaetz, four sisters, Janice, Janice (Darnell) Schoelzel, Carol (Dennis) Kuehling, Mary (Ronald) Hausman and Joanne (Kenneth) Laper.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a daughter-in-law Lynn Gaetz.

Maurina/Shilling Funeral Home, Abbotsford, assisted the family with arrangements.