Ralph D. Furger

Ralph Donald Furger, 77, Marathon, died August 6, 2022, at Marshfield Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born August 11, 1944, in the town of Emmet to Henry and Marie (Imhoff) Furger.  On June 26, 1965, Ralph married Patricia Kummerow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon.

Ralph worked as a night foreman for Kraft foods for 13 years. He then worked part-time for Lee’s Hardware Store in Marathon while starting his more than 40-year career in ginseng.  Ralph also owned Furger Ginseng Supplies during his ginseng career.

In his free time, Ralph loved to spend time with his wife, his daughters and his beloved grandchildren, his pride and joy.  Ralph had the green thumb in the family, which was always evident when looking at the beautiful flowers in his yard.  Ralph was always up for a game of bingo or a game of cards.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Kummerow) Furger and his two daughters Pam (Bruce) Hurtis and Shelly (Joel) Juhlke, all of Marathon, and five grandchildren Brent Hurtis, Brody (Abbey) Hurtis, Nikki (Dave) Brnusak, MacKenzie (Rob) Eckerle and Kennedy Ringle.

Ralph is also survived by his two sisters Mary (Fran Arndt) Hermes and Virjean (Robert) Knauf, and his three brothers Norman (Sally) Furger, Lavern (Mary Jane) Furger and Randy (Cindy Steinke) Furger, and many nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Marie Furger.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marathon. The Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday, August 11, from 4-7pm at the church and Friday, August 12, from 9:30 am to the time of the service. Special thanks to the doctors and staff at Marshfield Clinic Weston Oncology, Marshfield Clinic Weston Emergency and Marshfield Medical Center, Marshfield, ICU, for their kind, compassionate care of Ralph. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.