Ralph G. Uecker, 89, of Forestville, died at Oak Creek Assisted Living in Algoma on Oct. 15, 2014. He was born on April 26, 1925, in Forestville to Albert and Ella (Haasch) Uecker. Ralph attended and graduated from Algoma High School in 1942. On Oct. 5, 1946, he married Ethel Mae Sperber at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay. They were married for 68 years.
Ralph farmed in Forestville while working at the shipyards in Sturgeon Bay. He owned his own farm equipment business in Maplewood for several years and then purchased the farm implement business in Forestville from Mark Schlise in 1971, establishing Ralph Uecker and Sons Inc. After retiring from the implement business, Ralph built many homes in Sturgeon Bay.
Ralph loved playing baseball and was proud of the fact that he played ball until he was 78 years old. He also enjoyed card playing and traveling with his wife around the country and overseas. Most of all, Ralph loved spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Ethel, three sons, David (Sue), Dale (Norma), and Jeff (Barb); 8 grandchildren: Ben (Chin), Nick, Krissy (Kevin) Phillips, Tracy (Jeremy) LaCrosse, Britt (Rich) Peters, Tasha, Cody, and Ava; 4 great-grandchildren: Riley and Ross Phillips, Meghan and Chloe LaCrosse.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Edna (Jennings) Schmeling daughter-in-law, Peggy Uecker, sister-in-law, Joan (Blaine) Dreutzer, brother-in-law, Elton Halverson, and parents-in-law, Herman and Edna Sperber.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct.18, 2014, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Forestville with Rev. Christopher Jackson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name.
Special thanks to Oak Creek Assisted Living and Unity Hospice for the wonderful care and support.