Obit: Gaetz, Ralph L. (1933 - 2008)
Contact: Stan

Surnames: Gaetz, Wolfe, Brown, Schoelzel, Delo, Bowe, Hamus, Mueller, Pozorski, Juehling, Hausman, Laper

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) 03/30/2008

Gaetz, Ralph L. (29 Jan. 1933 - 28 Mar. 2008)

Ralph L. Gaetz, 75, of rural Spencer, died Friday, March 28, 2008, at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, of a heart attack.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Riplinger. Burial will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 31 at Maurina/Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford and from 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church.

He was born January 29, 1933, in the town of Unity to William and Myrtle (Brown) Gaetz. On April 9, 1953, he went into the Army and was honorably discharged on April 5, 1955. He served 13 months in Korea.

Ralph married Audris (Schoelzel) Wolfe on Dec. 22, 1956. He worked at Mandel's Cheese Factory in Unity making cheese and hauling can milk. In 1966, Ralph and his wife purchased the homestead farm and continued farming until they retired in 1997.

He was an active member of the American Legion Post 358 of Unity and was serving as commander. He was a town board supervisor for the town of Unity for many years.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Audris; seven children, Nancy (Rodney) Delo of Loyal, Cindy (Larry) Bowe of Loyal, Steve Gaetz of Spencer, Sharon (Larry) Hamus of Spencer, Karen (Andrew) Mueller of Loyal, Michael (Melissa) Gaetz of Spencer and Kathi (Keith) Pozorski of Marathon; one brother, Dave (Mary) Gaetz; four sisters, Janice (Darnell) Schoelzel, Carol (Dennis) Kuehling, Mary (Ronald) Hausman and Joanne (Kenneth) Laper; 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Maurina/Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.