Ralph Emil Kohnhorst

Ralph E. Kohnhorst, 95, Wausau, passed away at Applegate Terrace on Thursday, November 14, 2024 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

He was born May 4, 1929 in Wausau, son of the late Edwin and Gertrude (Reissmann) Kohnhorst.  On October 29, 1949 he married Lois Steiner, she preceded him in death on October 13, 1987.  His second marriage was to Clarice Baumann on September 24, 1988 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wausau.  She survives.

Ralph was a United States veteran and served with the National Guard.  For 46 years, he worked as a welder at Wausau Paper’s until his retirement.  He was a founding member of the Brokaw Credit Union.

Ralph was a longtime member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wausau and handcrafted many items for the church.  He was a talented builder and had the privilege of building two of his homes and also their cottage on Lake Nokomis.  Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and boating on Lake Nokomis with family and friends.

Ralph will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include, his wife, Clarice; two daughters-in-law, Pam Kohnhorst and Lorrene Kohnhorst; one son-in-law, Randall Holtz; three step-children, Kay (Shawn) Wiskofske, Sue Roselius and Kurt Baumann; nine grandchildren, Beth (Jason) Zeinert, Heidi (Aaron) Guenther, Alexandra Wiskofske (fiancé Anthony Fuller), Jessyka Wiskofske, Garrett and Lauren Roselius, Sara (Nicholas) Unis, and Ellen and Nathan Baumann; 10 great-grandchildren, Trevor, Tara, Taylor, Randi, Parks, Griffin, Sophia, Caroline, Jacob and Ian; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Lois; three children, Michael and John Kohnhorst and Ann Holtz; and three siblings, Bob and Kurt Kohnhorst and Arletta Thompson.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau.  Rev. Dave Mahler will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.  Entombment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Memorial Chapel Mausoleum in Wausau with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Post No. 10, Wausau.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Applegate Terrace and the staff at Aspirus Hospice, especially Cathe Yaeger, for their wonderful support and care for Ralph.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Wausau.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com