Ralph Patrick Dahlke

Ralph Patrick Dahlke, 73, F4322 Butternut Road, Edgar, died Wednesday evening, September 15, 2004 at home in the arms of his loving wife, Anne and surrounded by his family. He was born on St. Patrick's Day in 1931 in Edgar, and was known to everyone as Pat, son of the late Victor and Veronica (Wirkus) Dahlke. On April 28, 1954, he married Anne Zemski at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. She survives. Pat was a lifelong dairy farmer who was proud to receive a Marathon County Century Farm Ownership Certificate in 1991. He frequently socialized with family and friends and greatly enjoyed playing cards, telling stories and taking hunting trips to Wyoming. For many years, he played Santa Claus for children in the rural schools in which his sisters were teaching. Pat also enjoyed polka music and NASCAR. He believed in the goodness of people and had a lot of strong friendships. Pat you will be greatly missed. Besides his wife, Anne, Edgar survivors include six children and seven grandchildren, Dennis (Brenda) Dahlke, Edgar and their children, Seth Dahlke, Rhinelander and Erin Dahlke, Roseville, Minn.; Donna Dahlke, Edgar; Dan (Dartyne Wells) Dahlke, Estacada, Ore.; Dale (Amy) Dahlke, Edgar and their children, Raymond, Dustin, Mitchell and Jessica; Debra (Robert Gake) Dahlke, Madison; Dawn (Robin Fons) and their son, Xander, Oconomowoc; three sisters, Myrtle Pflanzer, Abbotsford, Beatrice (Arnold) Strunk, Abbotsford and Gertrude (Ervin) Karlen, Edgar; one brother, Alex (Dorothy) Dahlke, Edgar; along with many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Norbert and Victor Dahlke. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2004 at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Norman Boneck will preside. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar and again from 10:00 a.m. Saturday until the time of services at the church. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com