Ralph H. Linssen, 88, died peacefully Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at his home. He was born April 21, 1935, on a farm in the Town of Bellevue with twelve other siblings, being the fourth son of Charles and Mayme (VanDenLangenberg) Linssen.
Ralph served his country for two years in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954-1956 in the Test Unit. On August 3, 1963, he married Joyce E. Edges at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church and celebrated 54 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on November 24, 2017. For 48 years Ralph worked for Packerland Packing, the first employee to be hired there. He worked as a well-respected maintenance foreman using many of his God-given skills to solve even the most elaborate issues. Ralph was a jack-of-all-trades and used that gift by being a selfless and giving family man. Ralph and Joyce were vendors at the farmer’s market, selling chickens for over twenty years. He loved his kitties, especially “Tippy” and “Boose”. Ralph was also a member of the Msgr. Basche Knights of Columbus Council #4505 for over 50 years.
Ralph is survived by his four children, Bonnie (Terry) Delsart, Charles (Pam) Linssen, Michael (Carrie) Linssen, and Carrie Linssen; grandchildren, Devon Linssen, Brandon Linssen, Tristan (Haley) Cooney, and Brittaney Cooney (friend Branden Beyer); sisters and brother, Marion “Mary” Rukamp, Ruth (Robert) Beining, Beverly (Richard) Huxford, Eunice Kocken, and Kenneth (Carla) Linssen; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Bernard (Carol) Linssen, Alvina (Leonard) Schoessow, Marcella (Russel) Schmude, Merlin (Joanne) Linssen, and Beatrice (Norb) Henrigillis, Lorraine (Luke) Albers, and infant brother Gabriel Linssen; brothers-in-law, Donald Rukamp and Walter Kocken; a sister-in-law, Nancy Linssen.
Friends may gather at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason Street, on Sunday, October 8th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Deacon Bill Burkel officiating. Full Military Honors to follow. The burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.prokowall.com.
Ralph’s family extends a word of thanks to Dr. Adam Harrig, Dr. Jason Nitke, and Dr. Roland Moreno, the staff of Unity Hospice, and to Meals on Wheels of Denmark for all the care they gave to Ralph and his family.