Ralph G. Finkler

Ralph G. Finkler, 87, of Reeseville, WI passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2024 at UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

A visitation for Ralph will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until Noon at Holy Family Catholic Church in Reeseville.  A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at Noon with Father Thomas Naidu as celebrant.  Interment will be at the Ev. Reformed Church Cemetery in the town of Lowell.  A luncheon will follow at the church.

Ralph was born on June 13, 1937 the son of Nicholas and Edna (Drunaske) Finkler.   On July 18, 1959, he was united in marriage with Jean M. Christman; together they raised four children on the farm that Jean grew up on.  Ralph and Jean shared 62 years of marriage before her death in 2022.

Ralph was the epitome of a traditional farm boy, with his strong work ethic at an early age working on the family farm to racing stock cars. He had a rough and tough attitude but also a heart of gold that helped shape his life.

Ralph will always be remembered for being the best dad and loving grandpa. He made sure to act surprised when getting nuts (again!) for a birthday or Christmas gift and always kept his candy drawer well-stocked for Sunday afternoons when his grandchildren would come over to raid it. Ralph was never one to sit still unless it was to play cards or dice with family and friends, or getting a nap in with one of the grandkids when they were young. He could always be found tinkering with something, whether it be getting one of his golf carts running again or climbing up the silo to replace the lights on the giant Christmas star (much to grandma Jean’s objection in the later years). Ralph and Jean were always the best hosts, and he would be quick to greet visitors and make sure you had a drink in hand upon arrival. He loved being the one to make others laugh at his jokes, even if it was the same joke he had told a hundred times, or ‘accidentally’ losing his dentures during games to get a rise out of everyone. He loved bringing out old photo albums or the film projector to share stories and finding ways to be the best teacher.

Ralph had mastered the “Wisconsin Goodbye”, always offering one last drink, telling one last joke, or telling another story about his stock car days. Ralph’s infectious laughter and kind heart will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He leaves a lasting legacy of love, joy, and cherished memories.

Ralph will be deeply missed by his daughter Jill (Mike) Luebke, son Nick (Molly) Finkler; son-in-law Dale Hensler; grandchildren Jason Cemanski, Amanda (Scott) Lardinois, Chelsea (Zach) Haskins, Anthony Finkler, Jordan (fiancé Mikayla Kucken) Hensler, Sydney (fiancé Brandon Zamorano) Finkler, Hailey (Wyatt Gehring) Finkler, and Delaney Finkler; great-grandchildren Gavin and Wyatt Lardinois and Harper Haskins, also many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jean in 2022, daughters: Lana Sullivan and Kristin Hensler.

In lieu of gifts, we encourage everyone to spend time doing things they love with family and friends, laugh at the joke you’ve heard a hundred times and cherish time with loved ones reliving old stories.

The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Reeseville is serving the family.  Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.