Ralph Romaine Winget Jr., 93, of Eau Claire passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Ralph was born April 27, 1929, to Ralph Sr. and Genevieve (Basacker) Winget-Running in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Ralph worked on the Oar Boats on the Great Lakes the summer he was 16 years old, which was one of his wonderful memories he talked about often, this is where he got his love for lighthouses and collected many of them through the years.
Ralph married the love of his life at the early age of 17. They resided in Oregon for a short period of time before moving back to Wisconsin, where they raised their family, taking his daughters hunting small game and sturgeon fishing. He played baseball for many years while his family watched with pride.
Ralph was employed at Peters Meats, and in the Dry-Cleaning Business for many years.
Ralph was an avid fisherman, teaching his daughters and grandchildren how to fish, telling them the first rule of fishing with him was you must bait your own hook and take your own fish off. He also enjoyed many years deer hunting with good friends, and camping with his family in Chetek.
Ralph had a wonderful but dry sense of humor and loved to tell his life stories.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, daughters, and many grandchildren, and we take comfort in knowing he is a special angel watching over us all.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Betty Jane (Mercer) Winget, his daughters; Sherri (Brad) Beecroft (McCormick SC), Sandra Rushman (Phoenix AZ), Jeanne Janssen (Eau Claire WI), Ginger Winget (Eau Claire WI), 10 Grandchildren, 18 Great Grandchildren, and 3 Great Great Grandchildren, sister-in-laws, Helen Running, Donna Mercer, special niece Joye Mooney and many other nieces and nephews, special friend and neighbor Karen Sewillo.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Carter Running, sister, Delores Rhodes, grandson, Justin Strandt and son in laws, Robert Strandt, Daniel Janssen, and Jon Rushman and special friend, Robert Brownell, brother in laws, Arthur, Edwin and Richard Mercer.
The family would like to thank Dove West Palliative Care, and the Mayo Hospice nurses for the wonderful care they gave to our husband, father, and grandfather.
A service will be held at Smith Funeral Chapel on July 28, 2022, at 1:00 PM. Visitation will be from 12:00 – 1:00 PM.
Smith Funeral Chapel is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Ralph Winget Memorial Service
Time: Jul 28, 2022, 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
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My heart is broke over the loss of Carter’s only brother. Carter just thought the world of his older brother. He loved to tell tales of the things Ralph tried, and often succeeded, in making him do like going down all the ski scaffolds in Eau Claire when Carter had never skied! He stopped at Hendrickson, thank heavens, or I would not have had my glorious years with him!
Ralph had the best sense of humor and loved to tell stories. At Oak Grove Resort we used to sit around the camp fire and roar with laughter at his tales!
Will miss him but happy he is with Sis and Carter.
Have explained to Jeanne why I can’t attend Ralphs services but will be there in spirit. Love to Betty and the four girls
So very sorry for your loss of Ralph. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family!
Love, Andy, Kari, Brit and Aj Reiter
So sorry for your loss. I have good memories of my working with him at the cleaners.
My deepest sympathy to all of you. He was a wonderful neighbor and friend to our family. He was a pool partner and taught my boys a lot of tips on the game. Bob went spring fishing with Ralph at Jim Falls and we did a number of camping outings “up north” over the years with the families. The boys and I have many great memories of those years. Bob has been gone 2 yrs now. Sincerely Judy and family.