Ralph A. Matenaer, 75, of St. Michael's, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center in West Bend.
He was born on August 28, 1933 in West Bend to the late Edwin and Mary (nee Staehler) Matenaer. He graduated from West Bend High School in 1951 and then served in the U.S. Army in Korea. On August 11, 1956 Ralph was united in marriage to Estelle Schladweiler at St. Michael's Catholic Church.
Ralph and Estelle farmed in St. Michael's for 42 years and Ralph also worked at the Gehl Company for 18 years. In 1973, Ralph and Estelle were awarded the Kewaskum Young Farmers Award and at last year's State Fair they received a Century Old Farm honor.
Ralph was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church where he served several terms on the parish counsel, as Head Usher, and was a member of the building committee to rebuild the church after it burned down in 1970. He was also a member of VFW Post #1393.
He loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed playing cards, especially Sheepshead, and also enjoyed dancing, wine making and going on bus tours. He was an avid sports enthusiast and he loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events. He took great pride in keeping the farm immaculate and loved his John Deere tractors.
He is survived by his wife, Estelle; five children, Stephanie (Kip) Weiss of West Bend, Joe (Carolyn) Matenaer of Helenville, Janet (Randy) Heberer of Kewaskum, Barbara Chesak of West Bend, and Tony Matenaer of Slinger; nine grandchildren, Cody (Ashley Pichotta) Weiss, Casey Weiss, Leslie Weiss, Kyle Matenaer, Logan Matenaer, Megha Matenaer, Jaedyn Matenaer, Bekki Heberer, and Erika Heberer; a great-grandson, Ryley Weiss; three sisters, Leona (Allan) Batzler of West Bend, Mary Louise (Paul) Yarnig-Wassenberg of Menomonee Falls, and Carol (Don) Winninghoff of Woodruff; three brothers, Francis (Betty) Matenaer of West Bend, Norman (Genie) Matenaer of West Bend, and Steve (Margaret) Matenaer of West Bend; three sisters-in-law, Ione Kohlman of West Bend, Gertie Schladweiler of Kewaskum, and Corrine Schladweiler of Escondido, California; a brother-in-law, Arnie Schladweiler of Kewaskum; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Adeline (Ed) Volm; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ray Yarnig, Marcella (Pete) Schmidt, Mildred (Edgar) Wolf, Al (Naomi) Schladweiler, Viola (Clarence) Schoenbeck, Delores (John) Van Beek, Leroy Schladweiler, Clem Schladweiler, Bernice (Ed) Van Beek, Harold Kohlman, and Mary Schladweiler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Sunday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Father Edwin Kornath presiding. Visitation will be at the church on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery on Monday at 10:00 a.m.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Pahl, Dr. Smale, Dr. Machhi, the nurses on the third floor at St. Joseph's Hospital, and the nurses at Crossings on Paradise at the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center.