Ralph C. Spitzack — Wanamingo

Ralph C. Spitzack, 80, of Wanamingo, died on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at his home.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo with Pastor Luther Mathsen officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Ralph Charles Spitzack was born on April 26, 1935, in North Morristown, Minn., to Paul and Helen (nee Saemrow) Spitzack. He grew up in the Morristown area, graduated eighth grade from Parochial School and attended Morristown High School. Ralph's father needed help on the farm, and Ralph was not able to finish high school. On June 23, 1956, he married Thelma Kratt at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morristown. They made their home in Morristown, and Ralph worked at the Farmers Elevator. In 1965, he started managing the Bombay Elevator, and in 1966, he moved his family to Wanamingo. He retired from the Bombay Elevator in the late 1990s and started working as a teacher's aide at the Wanamingo School. He worked at the school for five years before Ralph and Thelma started working as the custodians at Security State Bank in Wanamingo.

Ralph enjoyed woodworking and tinkering in his basement workshop, going to garage sales, going to his grandchildren's sporting and school events and soloing at weddings and funerals. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball, baseball and golf.

Ralph was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he ushered and taught Sunday school.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Thelma; children, Brad (Michelle) Spitzack of West Concord, Brenda (Scott) Jackson of Cannon Falls, Bruce Spitzack of Maiden Rock, Wis., and Barbie (Timothy) Kalien of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; grandchildren, Joshua (Missy) Spitzack of Northfield, Hannah Spitzack of Hayfield, Logan Spitzack of West Concord, Tatam (Michael) Ayres, Korie Jackson and Tanner Jackson, all of Cannon Falls, Stephanie (Kevin) Taylor, Dustin, Tyson, Nathan and Malia Kalien all of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; great-grandchildren, Linden and Cooper Spitzack, Brekkyn and Lakynn Ayres and Lydia Cooper; sisters, Dorothy Butterfield and Lois (Dave) Kolsrud all of Faribault; and sister-in-law, Darlene Spitzack.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Helen Spitzack, sister, Marion Gieseke and her husband Harvey; brother, Harlan Spitzack; and brother-in-law, Del Butterfield.

Arrangements are with Mahn Family Funeral Home – Larson Chapel in Zumbrota.