Ralph W. Schweinfurth

Ralph Schweinfurth, age 74 of Buck Creek, rural Ferryville, died on Thursday, October 7, 2010. Ralph William Schweinfurth, 74, passed away Thursday morning, October 7th at his home in Buck Creek, rural Ferryville, Wisconsin from Lymphoma and Congestive Heart Failure. Ralph was born July 4, 1936, at the family home in Lansing, Allamakee County, Iowa, to Herman and Genevieve (Dammon) Schweinfurth. He was baptized at the German Presbyterian Church in Lansing. His childhood was spent growing up in "Southtown" and spending many summers at the farm of his Aunt Lillian and Uncle Ray Strub. They gifted him with a pet pig that he named "Henry". Henry stopped many trains on his way to the river after he figured out how to get out of his pen. The engineers would carry him back home as he became well known to them. Many pets followed Henry including his present dog, Thunder. Ralph had many stories of growing up in Lansing and making lifelong friends there. He graduated from Lansing High School in 1954. He entered the military shortly after that and served in the 485th AAA Missile Battalion (Nike Battery C.) in Chicago, Illinois. After the army he entered the University of Iowa in Iowa City and graduated with a BA in Economics in 1962. Ralph married Vivian Mikkelson in April of 1958 at Utica Lutheran Church, rural Ferryville, Wisconsin. They lived most of their married life in the Iowa City area before retiring to Ferryville in 2002. Ralph was employed by Trostel Manufacturing of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin before spending 30 years as the owner of a trucking company in Iowa City. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star serving as Past Worshipful Master of Fellowship Lodge, Sharon Center, Iowa and Past Worthy Patron of Corona Chapter, Sharon Center, Iowa. He was active in the Utica Lutheran Church serving on the church council and several boards. He was a member of the Never Grow Old Club of Ferryville, Wisconsin and an associate member of the Nordfjordlag in Wisconsin. Ralph enjoyed woodworking. He made many bird houses and feeders, outdoor furniture and doll houses. He enjoyed reading, especially history of WWII and the Civil War. Ralph is survived by his wife of 52 years, Vivian; three sons: Wade of Omaha, Nebraska, Brian of Kalona, Iowa, and Craig (Susan) of Wellman, Iowa; five grandchildren: Julie (Ryan) Swartzendruber of Skokie, Illinois, Alan (April) Schweinfurth of Charles City, Iowa, Jamie (Aaron) Haack of Herman, Nebraska, Ambir (Luke) Leehy of Blair, Nebraska, Joshua Schweinfurth of Omaha, Nebraska; three great-grandchildren: Tyson and Peyton Leehy and Kaden Haack; two sisters: Esther June (Alvin) Periman, Minnetonka, Minnesota, Ruth (John) Olson, Circle Pines, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Ralph was predeceased by his parents; brother, Herbert; parents-in-law, Alfred and Alice Mikkelson; brother-in-law, Elling Mikkelson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 11, 2010 at Utica Lutheran Church, rural Ferryville. Pastor Anna Sorenson will officiate with Interment in the Utica Church Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 1-3 at the Dommersnaes-Bertram Family Funeral Home in Gays Mills and at the church on Monday one hour prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers and plants memorials may be directed to the Utica Lutheran Church, Sugar Creek Bible Camp or the charity of your choice. The Dommersnaes-Bertram Family Funeral Home of Gays Mills is serving the family.