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Ralph W. Schmoldt
1918- 2018
Ralph Wilhelm Schmoldt, 99, of Watertown, passed away on Tuesday, Jan.
23, 2018, at Park Ridge Assisted Living (Marquardt Village) in Watertown.
Ralph was born on
March 3, 1918, in a house in Watertown that he would call home for nearly 100
years as the youngest child of Gustav and Ida (Schultz) Schmoldt.
He gave over four years of honorable service in the U.S. Army in the Aleutian
Islands (Alaska) and Italy. On Nov. 16, 1946, he married the love of his life,
Doris E. Schmidt, in Watertown. After 70 years of marriage she preceded him in
death on Dec. 30, 2016 (age 89). Ralph worked for the G.B. Lewis Company (later
the Menasha Corporation) for 45 years and was a well-liked supervisor. He was a
lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown.
Ralph believed in
education and lifelong learning by being an attentive listener and keeping up
with current events and computer/internet use into his 90s. He had enduring
patience but no tolerance for those who took advantage of the “little guy.” He
was a model planner, organizer and record- keeper (everything in its place and
labeled with beautiful handwriting). He loved visits with his family and was a
fisherman, gardener (lover of fresh fruit and veggies) and Mr. Fix-lt (generously using his handyman skills to help others).
But most important
is that he was a member of an elite group, not just because of his age but also
because he was an exemplary representative of those who live their lives with
quiet strength, giving continuous dutiful and faithful service to others and in
so doing provide an often unrecognized rock-solid
foundation for many others to build their lives on.
We thank Ralph for
all that he has given the world as a husband, father, grandfather,
great-grandfather, veteran, boss, citizen and man of faith. Although he now has
a new life, his foundation remains as a legacy of ongoing support for all who
have known him and many who have not known him.
Ralph is survived by
his four children: Ralph A. (Linda) Schmoldt of Portland, Oregon, Sandra (Gary) Kemnitz of Watertown, Richard Schmoldt
of Horicon and Donna (Jeff) Albert of Warrenton, Virginia; by his five
grandchildren; Shannon (Josh) Canham, Kara (Nathan) Kroeplin, Krista (Todd) Schmidt, Kenyon Kemnitz
and Kalin Schmoldt (Kate Lyman); by his eight
great-grandchildren; Jordan, Lexy, Preston, Tyler,
Zach, Makenna, Connor and Elena, and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and
friends. He was further preceded in death by his parents, two sisters; Edna Buntrock and Gladys Coe, three brothers; Clarence, Walter
and Lester Schmoldt, and a grandson, Travis Kemnitz.
Funeral services
will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Hafemeister
Funeral Home with the Rev. Rodney Warnecke of St.
John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown officiating. Family and friends may gather
at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial
will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown. In lieu of flowers, memorials
may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at
schmoldt@teleport.com.
Hafemeister Funeral Home and Cremation Service 611 E. Main St. Watertown
History of Watertown, Wisconsin