Ralph “Squirt” Schmeisser, 88, of Shawano, died on Nov. 14, 2015. Ralph was born in Shawano on Feb. 4, 1927, the son of the late Walter and Hattie (Schultz) Schmeisser. Ralph worked at the Shawano Evening Leader for over 51 years. He started his career as a paperboy, moving on to the back shop, and finally as a pressman and printer, going through many evolutions in the newspaper industry. Ralph graduated from Shawano High School, Class of 1945, and was a member of the 1943 championship football team. In June 1945, Ralph was inducted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the occupation. Upon his discharge from the Army in April 1947, he returned to Shawano and attended Northeast Wisconsin Technical Institute. After graduation, he returned to the Evening Leader. On May 5, 1951, Ralph was united in marriage to Arlene Aschenbrenner. Arlene preceded him in death in December 1995. Ralph was united in marriage to Delores Bogda on Sept. 19, 1997. Ralph was a life-long member of St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano, a volunteer firefighter for 30-plus years and a member of the Shawano American Legion Post 117. He enjoyed hunting and watching sports, especially Packers football and Brewers baseball.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Delores (Aschenbrenner) Bogda Schmeisser; his children, Lynn (James) Spiegel, of Shawano, Jean (Kevin) Soufal, of Green Bay, Steven (Mickey) Schmeisser, of Ledgeview; one stepson, Lee Bogda; grandchildren, Teresa (Daniel) Spiegel Dzekute, Michelle (Brian) Spiegel Legois, Matthew Spiegel, Andrea (Phillip) Soufal Verville III, Gregory (Cathie) Soufal and Stephanie Soufal; great-grandchildren, Michael and Courtney Dzekute, Nathan and Johanna Jensen, Madison and Brady Spiegel, Emma, Phillip IV, and Madelyn Verville, and Jaxon and Drew Soufal. He is further survived by his sisters, Gertrude Unger, Adeline Hein and Alice Wilber.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Arlene; granddaughters, Melissa and Emily Schmeisser; his parents; his sisters, Lucille Umland, Jacqueline Berger, Elaine Gelinne; and brothers, Harold, Carl and Leonard Schmeisser.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano with the Rev. Ted Andrada officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the American Legion Post 117. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund to St. James Lutheran Church and School. Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Downs at ThedaCare Medical Center of Shawano Emergency Room, Dr. Huder and Dr. Mielke at Theda Clark Medical Center of Neenah as well as a special thank you to nurses Jen and Jessica for their compassion and care that our father received during his hospital stay.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
