Ralph F. Steidinger

Ralph F. Steidinger, 77, Marathon, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Marywood Center, Wausau. He was born April 23, 1934 at home in the town of Stettin, son of the late Reinhold and Eleanor (Erdman) Steidinger. Ralph and his parents were lifelong members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stettin. On August 23, 1958, he married Bernice Fitzke at St. John Lutheran Church in the town of Maine. Together, they raised two children, Lyle Steidinger and Laurie (Jim) Wiedeman, all of Marathon. Ralph was a dairy farmer his entire life, never taking a day off. He was the fourth generation farmer on the family homestead. He was a hard working man, which was evident in his care of his animals and machinery. Ralph enjoyed listening to polka music, annual deer hunting and riding his Gator around the farm with his constant campanion, his black lab "Rufi". Survivors include, his wife of 53 years and children; a sister Delphine (Arlon) Schmidt, Marathon; three brothers-in-law, Henry "Hank" (Ellen) Fitzke, Elmer "Junior" Fitzke and Allen "Butch" (Carol) Fitzke, all of Wausau; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 9, 2012 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stettin. Rev. Philip Bogen will officiate. Burial will be in the Stettin Christian Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Marathon County Humane Society or Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com