Ralph Johnsen

Ralph Howard Johnsen of Denmark passed away on October 26, 2023 at his home. He was born to Emil and Verna (Nelson) Johnsen on May 4th, 1931, the 4th child of 5. He went to grade school at Bungalow & Fontenoy, Denmark High School and graduated in 1949 with high honors at both schools. He was very proud of being the highest honoree of Brown County.

Ralph lived with his parents on the farm and worked very hard. When his father passed away, he purchased the farm and his mother lived with him, and he lived and worked there for 40 years without a day off, until he retired at the age of 82. He moved to Denmark, where he purchased a new home.

For entertainment, Ralph watched the Green Bay Packers and the Brewers. He loved fishing and hunting, especially deer and pheasants. He loved going out to eat and shopping for nice things. Whenever he went in a department store, you could always find him looking at sweaters; he would look at the price of everything and if someone was standing close by he would say “I bought this for 10 cents years ago” and a conversation would start, what a guy!

He would call Beanie and Timothy and they would go to many auctions, he liked visiting with everybody and bid every once in a while.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Quinten’s sons, Vern and Keith. Claude’s sons, Michael and Dale, Loretta’s children, Paul, Rodger, Kathy, Mark, and Brian, Bunny’s children, Robert, Terri, Denise, Patricia, and Judith, and very good friends: Timothy who was like a son and Beanie who he treated as a sister and loved them both.. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers Quinten, Claude (Betty), his sisters Loretta (Florian Dworak), Bernadine (Bunny, John Vandenbush), and nephew Guy (Quinten’s son).

Ralph was small of stature, but a very hard working, honest man and very stubborn but would help anyone that needed him. He had caregivers who were super fantastic: Lisa, Karen, and Debbie. We’ll see you, Howie! God Bless.

Family and friends may gather on Monday, October 30, 2023 from 9:30 – 11:00 am at Cotter Funeral Home, 536 County Road R, Denmark. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am with Rev. Andrew Zoerb officiating. Ralph will be laid to rest at West Danish Cemetery.