Ralph Bolliger

VISITATION:

10-11 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2017 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2017 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

Ralph Rene Bolliger, 88, formerly of Eau Claire, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls.

Ralph was born May 30, 1928 in Elkhorn. His parents, the late Othmar and Rose (Breit) Bolliger owned and farmed an apple orchard in Bayfield. He grew up there and graduated from Bayfield High School in 1946.

Ralph was a Korean War veteran, having served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952.

On November 27, 1952, he was united in marriage to Norma Lucia Fransson in Eau Galle. Ralph and Norma lived in Eau Claire for over 50 years, where they raised their family. Many of those years, Ralph worked as a merchant marine sailing the Great Lakes. He later worked in landscaping, eventually having his own lawn care and snow removal business. In May, 2013, he became a resident of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls. Ralph enjoyed his yard, (often naming the animals in it), bird watching, watching sports, and singing in the church choir. He loved talking to anyone, especially those who would listen to his jokes.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Norma of Chippewa Falls; children: Linda (Arthur Okazaki) Bolliger of New Orleans, La. and her daughter, Kamaria (Christopher) Skinner and their son, Xavier of Blaine, Minn.; Charlene (Scott) Johnson and their children, Kevin, Isaac, and Georgia Johnson, all of Neenah, and Kelsey (Troy) Keller of Greenville; Brent Bolliger of Tustin, Calif., and his son, Joshua Bolliger of San Marcus, Calif.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2017 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls with Stuart Krause of Chippewa Valley Bible Church, officiating. Military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will take place immediately following the service at the funeral chapel. Private interment will be at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spooner.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m., until the time of service Monday at the funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at the Wisconsin Veterans Home for their loving care.