Obit: Ragatz, Edward (1937 - 2019)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ragatz, Vinger, LaBonte, James, Schmidt

----Source: Plombon Funeral Home (Stanley, Clark Co., WI) 10/17/2020

Ragatz. Edward “Jack” Jr. (23 April 1937 – 15 March 2019) With Flag

Edward “Jack” Ragatz, Jr., age 81 of Stanley, passed away peacefully on March 15, at Mayo Health Hospital, Eau Claire, with Margie (his wife) and Julie (his daughter) by his side.

Jack was born in Madison, on April 23, 1937 to Edward and Hazel (Vinger) Ragatz, Sr. Jack started school in Madison, and moved with his family to Stanley at the age of 9. He attended Lincoln Grade School in Stanley and graduated from Stanley High School in 1955. Jack attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN for one year and then transferred to Wisconsin State College (now UW- Eau Claire) where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, Sociology & Psychology in 1960.

After college, Jack joined the Wisconsin National Guard and spent six months active duty at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Fort Riley in Kansas. He joined his father in the insurance business in 1961, but after six months, he was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis and spent ten months at Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, WA with the Army National Guard 121st Artillery of the 32nd Division. After discharge in 1962, he went back to the insurance business, and remained at the Ragatz Insurance Agency for over 40 years until he sold it to the State Bank of Withee in 2001, and fully retired in 2003.

On June 14, 1958, he married Margaret (Margie) LaBonte and they adopted Jeffrey in December 1965 at age of seven weeks, and then adopted Julie in January 1968 at age of three weeks. Jeff and Julie were the joys of their lives.

Jack was a faithful member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, a longtime member of the Stanley Commercial Club, and spent 45 years as a member of the Stanley Lions Club, serving as an officer and currently, the Board of Directors. He was an avid Packer and Badger fan and loved listening to jazz music.

Jack and Margie enjoyed traveling including trips to Acapulco, Puerta Vallarta, Ixtapa, Cancun and Playa del Carmen all in Mexico. They also traveled to Jamaica, British Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, England and Scotland. They traveled to most of the states in the USA. His biggest enjoyment was the many fishing trips he made to Canada with his father, son, brother, and many fishing friends. He was an avid musky fisherman and has two mounted muskies on loan to Oemig’s Sport Shop in Stanley. Jack and Margie spent summer weekends at their trailer on the Chippewa Flowage at Tiger Musky Trailer Park for over 50 years with their children and grandchildren. They spent winters in Florida for 15 years at Harbor Lakes RV Park where they had many friends and enjoyed an active life. Jack also enjoyed golfing during his retirement.

Jack is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margie of Stanley, children Jeffrey (Christy) Ragatz of Brooklyn Park, MN and Julie (Bob) James of Shakopee, MN and six grandchildren he adored, Kayla, Alyssa and Miranda Ragatz, Morgan and Jack James (who is named after his “grandpa”), and Christopher James of Prior Lake, MN. He is also survived by one brother, Ted (Marsia) Ragatz of Lancaster, many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Edward and Hazel Ragatz.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Ken Schmidt officiating. Visitation will be held at the Plombon Funeral Home in Stanley on Wednesday night, March 20 from 5 – 7 p.m. and Thursday morning one hour prior to services at the church. Inurnment in the Evergreen Cemetery will take place at a later date.