Ralph Duwayne Voigt, 84, of Merrill, Wisconsin was welcomed into heaven on Saturday, March 5. Ralph was born on November 12, 1937, to Ralph Otto Voigt and Ernestine Kleinschmidt. Ralph spent a lot of time with his dad helping with logging and making maple syrup. Ralph married Arlene Uekert on September 11, 1965, and they were married for 56 years. Ralph and Arlene eventually added a daughter and a son: Carmen and Ralph Leo. Ralph was a farmer in the Town of Pine River until his marriage. He then moved to Merrill and built bridges for many years, working most of his career for Edward Kraemer and Sons. Ralph was a proud member of the Carpenter’s Union and worked on bridges throughout Wisconsin, including Jim Falls, La Crosse, Merrill, Milwaukee, and Rhinelander. Ralph received an award for the Rhinelander bridge. He also worked on a few projects in Duluth, Minnesota and Menominee, Michigan. After he retired, Ralph helped many people by mowing lawns and shoveling snow. Ralph was always willing to lend a hand and was the person neighbors asked to watch their house if they were going on a trip. Ralph spent many hours checking on his mother-in-law Gladys, so she could stay in her own home. He also developed a close relationship with Ben, Samantha, Tim, Melanie, Michelle, Dominic, and Miles who were his babysitting family. Ralph was a fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Badger basketball and football teams. Many winter nights were spent at his brother Wayne’s and sister-in-law Virginia’s house watching the Bucks. Ralph enjoyed listening to country music and the Sunday morning polkas. He liked Chevrolet trucks and Ski-Doo snowmobiles and took his son for many rides. In his younger days, Ralph had fun fishing, gardening, and shooting pool. Ralph especially loved visiting with friends and family. Ralph was fond of his home at 1103 North State and lived there his entire married life, a rarity in today’s world. Nothing was more important to Ralph than his family. Whether he was building snow/wood forts, cheering for the Trinity Hawks basketball teams, making ice skating rinks, teaching his kids how to drive, going on rides at Great America, traveling to Crandon for family vacations, or going to Milwaukee to see the Bucks, Ralph loved spending time with his family and having fun. Ralph was always available to help out with house projects and did lots of pet sitting for his kids. Brutus, Cinder, and Ranger are probably getting walked again while Baxter keeps his lap warm. Ralph was a kind, honest, hard working man who always saw his glass half full. Ralph was a genuine person; he was the same person regardless of the situation. Ralph spoke of his dad often, even more in later years. In his final days, Ralph mentioned he would be seeing his father in heaven. After nearly 65 years, they are together again. Ralph was a wonderful father, husband, brother, and friend; life will not be the same without him.
Love your son and daughter,
Ralph Leo and Carmen