• Visitation: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 11:00AM-1:00PM at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME 9200 S. 27th St. Oak Creek Wi 53154.
• Funeral Service: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 1:00PM at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME 9200 S. 27th St. Oak Creek Wi 53154.

Ralph A. Koerner

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, one of the best men to ever walk the Earth became a true Angel.  Ralph A. Koerner bravely faced down Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer but it unfortunately got the upper hand.  He was born on December 16, 1939, to Bernice (Ploor) and William Koerner.  He was a brother to two sisters, Patricia, and MaryAnn, and three brothers, William, Donald, and Orrin.

He is loved here on Earth by his wife, Judy (Olsen), and his two daughters, Susan, married to Tom Bentley, and Sandy, married to Bill Lovins.  He joins his youngest daughter, Sharon and her husband, John Hess, in Heaven.  A proud grandfather of Bentley children Nick (Melissa), Samantha (Bret) Beighley, and Lauren; Max Sustachek and Melanie Lovins.  There are five great-grandchildren who adored him – Elijah, Eden, Charlotte, Amelia, and Jordan Bentley.

Ralph and Judy met riding horses, got married, raised their three daughters, and celebrated their 62^nd Wedding Anniversary in May of this year.

Ralph, a devout Catholic, followed God’s ask to live life and live it to the fullest.  As a young boy, he rode on a bicycle from his home near Mitchell Street to the riding stables in Whitnall Park or to Muskego Beach for the rides!  What a long way on a bike! As a young man, he built Sportsman Stock Cars and raced them at Hales Corners, Cedarburg, Wilmot, Waukegan, and State Fair Park tracks until he retired in 1972.

In that time, he also participated in rodeos, riding bulls and bucking broncos.  Who in their sane mind would do that, too?!  All the while he enjoyed these hobbies, he worked long, hard hours driving a truck to support his family.  In the beginning, his routes were local, driving a small truck, and then he graduated driving a semi-truck to O’Hare and wherever else dispatch could dream up.  In rain, fog, snow, ice, tornadoes, nothing stopped him from completing his run.  His little family was very happy and relieved when he retired and could spend those nights snug in his bed.

He was in the Marine Reserves for six years.  He honored his time with the military but would never want recognition for it.  He thought it was something he just should do.  He was vaccinated, packed, and ready to go fight in the Bay of Pigs Conflict.  Thank goodness it was called off in the nick of time!

Ralph’s favorite place to visit was SPECTACULAR Las Vegas.  The lights, glamour, weather, mountains, and slot machines lured him in.  He enjoyed it so much and encouraged friends and family to go with him and Judy.  They enjoyed several trips a year in the beginning, but the last several years, he and Judy were there 5 times a year, often with their girls and other family members.  When in Vegas, he played slots, Craps, Blackjack, Keno, and Bingo.  They visited Oneida, Ho-Chunk, and American Place Casino here at home in between trips to Vegas.  Winning was always a bonus, but just having fun was what was important.

He was a very devoted, caring, generous person, and always a gentleman. He would give you the shirt off his back, if you needed it, and he did, periodically going through his clothes to pack some up and drop them off to homeless men he saw when taking Judy to work.  Once, two homeless men in Las Vegas asked for money to get some beer to get drunk.  Being the man he was, of course he gave them the money without judgment.  Always willing to help, he had a heart of gold.

In summary, Ralph loved life.  He cherished time with his family and friends.  He had a passion for the outdoors and enjoying family traditions like going to State Fair, Little Amerricka and Muskego Beach/Dandelion Park Amusement Parks, and Whitnall Park Gardens. He was a great man, always looking to have a good time.  If he loved you, you knew it, but if you fell into his category of “SPECTACULAR”, you were the absolute best.  He was SPECTACULARLY treasured and will be missed terribly.  Enjoy Heaven, Ralph, until we meet again.  We’ll see you soon.

A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 11:00AM-1:00PM at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME 9200 S. 27th St. Oak Creek Wi 53154. Followed by a service at 1:00PM. Entombment Arlington Park Cemetery.