1918
Ralph
2009
Ralph Oldenburg
October 30, 1918 — July 13, 2009
Ralph Martin William Oldenburg, 90, of Wausau, died peacefully with his wife by his side on Monday July 13, 2009, at Mt. View Care Center, Wausau.
Mr. Oldenburg was born in Merrill, Wisconsin on October 30, 1918, the son of the late Otto and Helen (Sodke) Oldenburg. On June 14, 1947 he was united in marriage to Mary Edith Kaufman at Peace Evangelist Lutheran Church in Antigo, Wisconsin.
He was a graduate of the Madison Business College where he obtained his background in accounting. Ralph received extensive accounting training with several Antigo Cooperatives and later joined the Public Accounting firm of Hill and Hill in Marshfield. Ralph joined Marathon Electric in 1948 as the General Accounting Supervisor was promoted several times during his 35-year tenure until his retirement in 1983.
Ralph was active in the Wausau community. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for more than 50 years, where he was an active volunteer, usher, and elder. He served as the President of the Trinity congregation for several years. He also was an active member of the Wausau Tax Payer’s League and served as its president as well. He was president of the Quarter Century Club at Marathon Electric and on the board of the Marathon Electric Credit Union.
He was a talented woodworker, craftsman, and tinkerer, well-known in the neighborhood for his “fix-it” ability. Among his special interests were fishing and hunting, square dancing, gardening, doing the crossword puzzle, traveling, and playing cribbage.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Richard Oldenburg and sisters, Olga Woller, and Mildred Schleif. He is survived by his loving family, including his wife, Mary; 5 children, including Julie (John) Phend, Milton (Maureen) Oldenburg, Suzanne (Richard) Schroeder, Janice (Jonathon Ninnemann) Oldenburg, and Mark Oldenburg; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and sister, Leona Naef.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Helke Funeral Home, as well as the hour before the service on Friday morning, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Memorials may be made in Mr. Oldenburg’s name to: Trinity Lutheran Church Debt Reduction, 501 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401; or the Alzheimer’s Association, 302 Ministry Parkway, B0041, Weston, WI 54476.
Mr. Oldenburg was born in Merrill, Wisconsin on October 30, 1918, the son of the late Otto and Helen (Sodke) Oldenburg. On June 14, 1947 he was united in marriage to Mary Edith Kaufman at Peace Evangelist Lutheran Church in Antigo, Wisconsin.
He was a graduate of the Madison Business College where he obtained his background in accounting. Ralph received extensive accounting training with several Antigo Cooperatives and later joined the Public Accounting firm of Hill and Hill in Marshfield. Ralph joined Marathon Electric in 1948 as the General Accounting Supervisor was promoted several times during his 35-year tenure until his retirement in 1983.
Ralph was active in the Wausau community. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for more than 50 years, where he was an active volunteer, usher, and elder. He served as the President of the Trinity congregation for several years. He also was an active member of the Wausau Tax Payer’s League and served as its president as well. He was president of the Quarter Century Club at Marathon Electric and on the board of the Marathon Electric Credit Union.
He was a talented woodworker, craftsman, and tinkerer, well-known in the neighborhood for his “fix-it” ability. Among his special interests were fishing and hunting, square dancing, gardening, doing the crossword puzzle, traveling, and playing cribbage.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Richard Oldenburg and sisters, Olga Woller, and Mildred Schleif. He is survived by his loving family, including his wife, Mary; 5 children, including Julie (John) Phend, Milton (Maureen) Oldenburg, Suzanne (Richard) Schroeder, Janice (Jonathon Ninnemann) Oldenburg, and Mark Oldenburg; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and sister, Leona Naef.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Helke Funeral Home, as well as the hour before the service on Friday morning, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Memorials may be made in Mr. Oldenburg’s name to: Trinity Lutheran Church Debt Reduction, 501 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401; or the Alzheimer’s Association, 302 Ministry Parkway, B0041, Weston, WI 54476.
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