Ralph Haas Obituary

Ralph M. Haas

September 19, 1931 - June 23, 2025

SPRING GREEN - Ralph M. Haas, age 93, of Spring Green, Wis., passed away on June 23, 2025, at the UW Hospital in Madison, Wis., due to complications following a fall. He was born on September 19, 1931 in Plain, Wis., the son of Ludwig "Lute" and Esther (Ruhland) Haas.

Following graduation from Spring Green High School, Ralph served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War where he was stationed in Alaska working on experimental jet aircraft. He subsequently started working for Kraemer Brothers Inc. in 1955 as a laborer and advanced to carpenter level and eventually to a superintendent position. At the time of his retirement in 1997, he had constructed 50 major building projects throughout the nation, including: the UW-Whitewater School of Fine Arts, the Rushmore Plaza Hotel in Rapid City, S.D., and the Jerome Cheese Plant in Jerome, Idaho (at the time, one of the largest cheese plants in the world). He took great pride in the craftsmanship of his building projects and the safety record on his job sites. Following retirement, he farmed for many years with his son-in-law, Doug Brander and grandson, Derek Brander, and along with the Brander uncles was as part of the "Geritrol crew."

He was a faithful member of St John's Catholic Church. He was married on October 8, 1955 to his high school sweetheart, Madeline Maxine McNurlin and was a devoted husband for nearly 70 years. He was a loving father to his children, Joni, Randy, Reg, and Jane; and proud "grampa" to his six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Ralph was an avid sportsman and was a lifetime member of the Spring Green Rod and Gun Club. He cherished his yearly fishing trips to Canada and deer hunting in northern Wisconsin accompanied by many of his dearest friends and family, which continued up to age 93. He was an essential leader of the American Legion Post #253 for over 70 years, serving for decades as the finance officer, a member of the honor guard and on the chicken barbeque pit crew. He was happiest when he was outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening, or farming. However, his biggest joy was spending time with his family and in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Haas; and children, Joni (Doug) Brander, Randy (Laura Kraemer) Haas, Reg Haas, Jane (Jerry) McGuire; as well as grandchildren, Derek Brander, Chelsea (Scott) Brander-Willey, Jared McGuire, Connor Haas, Collin Haas, and Ciara Kraemer Haas; great- grandchildren Blaire and Bella Willey; sister-in-law, Gerry Haas of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Laverne (Butch), Louie, Clete, Ken, and Dick Haas; sisters, Lorraine (Burmeister), Rita (Ruhland) and Lucille Haas; infant sister, Margaret; and brothers-in-law, Ernie Burmeister and Francis Ruhland; and sisters-in-law, Elsie (Clete) and Luella (Butch) Haas. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Greenway Manor and the staff of UW Hospital unit F4/4 for their compassionate care over the last several weeks. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Mark Timmerman for his years of care and friendship with our dad.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 11 a.m., at St John's Catholic Church in Spring Green with burial in the church cemetery where Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Spring Green American Legion Post #253. Visitation will be held on Monday at St. John's Catholic Church from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Highground Veterans Memorial Park, W7031 Ridge Rd, Neilsville, WI 54456.

Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com. The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.