Ralph Donald Pfister

Ralph Donald Pfister, 87, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, at the Veterans Nursing Home in Chippewa Falls.

Ralph was born May 29, 1933, in Jacksonport, Door County, and was raised in Cornell, were he attended Eleanor Grade School and Cornell High School.

He joined the Air Force in 1952 until July 1965, serving in the U.S. and overseas in Japan, for three years. He lived in Cornell, following his honorable discharge, and worked several years for the Cornell Police Department and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department.

Ralph married Bernice in 1968; they later divorced. He later moved to Juneau, with Violet Dawes, where they lived until he returned to Chippewa Falls, in 2018.

He loved to sing country western songs, dance and was a member of numerous bands, he was known everywhere and remembered for his ability to yodel. He had a beautiful smile, which made his blue eyes twinkle, “If you ever met him once, you would always remember him.”

Ralph was always very active in veterans affairs where he lived and especially the Eau Claire branches.

He is survived by brothers – Roger (Janice), Ronald (Linda) and Glenn (Merilynn) Kohls; sisters – Shirley Brauer, Judie (Frank) Sikora and Janet (Charles) Seidlitz; aunt – Doris Krueger, Manitowoc; stepsons – Todd Marsh and Craig Helmer; and by many nieces and nephews in this area, and Door County.

He was preceded in death by his mother – Alice (Pfister) Kohls; stepfather – Walter C. Kohls; wife – Bernice; brother – Marvin Kohls: brother-in-law – Jack Brauer; sister-in-law – Wanda Kohls; stepchildren – Galen, Vicky and Kurt; nephew – Edward Kohls; and special friend – Violet.

A family memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 20, at Northwoods Church in Cornell, with the Rev. Greg Sima officiating. A private interment will be held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Veterans Home and the Dove Health/Rutledge Home, for all the loving care and support given to Ralph while in their care.

Borton-Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Cornell, is assisting the family.