Ralph Werner Kippley, age 92, passed away on September 29, 2024, at Maplewood Village, surrounded by his loving family. Born on November 24, 1931, in Roxbury, Ralph was the beloved son of Edwin and Alice (Marx) Kippley. On April 16, 1953, he married his childhood sweetheart, Ethel (Breunig), and together they built a life centered around love, faith, and hard work.

Ralph taught by example, instilling in his family a deep love for the land and all animals. Although he was a tough man, he had a tender side, especially for the farm animals—like the farm cats that followed him around as if he were the Pied Piper. He was proud of making work fun, allowing his children to ride in the "bucket" of his Ford tractor, care for animals, and join him on adventures like squirrel hunting and playing by the creek. He especially loved doing field work in the fall, hauling silage, and preparing the soil for spring planting. Ralph taught his children that with a little hard work, they could achieve things that seemed out of reach.

In his early years, Ralph worked on the family farms, built roads for Kalscheur, and eventually started his career with Fuchs Trucking, where he spent over 40 years helping grow the company. Known for his exceptional skill as a truck driver, Ralph could back an 18-wheeler into the tightest alleyways with ease, and often brought one of his children along for a ride. The Fuchs family became like his own, and his deep knowledge of cattle played a significant role in building the company's success.

Ralph loved sports, especially baseball, and was highly competitive in everything from family games to cards. Summers were filled with his famous chicken barbecues and cherished time at the lake, where he proudly water-skied without getting his hair wet. Though he may not have always shown it with a smile, Ralph's greatest devotion was to his family. He was a dutiful husband and father, making sacrifices out of love to ensure his family was taken care of.

In his later years, Ralph continued to help on family farms, tend his large garden, and attend countless events for his grandchildren. He was a skilled handyman, always ready to fix anything and lend a hand.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel, and his son, David. He is also preceded by his parents, Edwin and Alice, his in-laws, Germain and Gertrude Breunig, his sister Dorothy (Art) Huerth, and brothers Vernon (Harriet) and Leon, as well as his sister-in-law Clare Jane Ziegler.

He is survived by his children: Rick (Barb) Kippley, Sharon (Tom) Carleton, Dan (Jeni) Kippley, Tom (Carolyn) Kippley, Jeanne (Brian) Glynn, Sue (Lavern) Ziegler, and Tim Kippley, along with 19 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Ethel's siblings Donna Ferguson, David (LaLonnie) Breunig, Dennis (Jean) Breunig, and in-laws Patricia Breunig, Jeannette Breunig, and Linda Breunig.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 am on Friday, October 4th, at St. Norbert's Catholic Church in Roxbury. The rosary will be said 15 minutes before the Mass, with burial taking place at the church cemetery following the service. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at St. Mary's Hospital, Maplewood Village and St. Croix Hospice for the loving care they provided to Ralph.

Ralph will be remembered as a man of integrity, hard work, and devotion to his family—a man who, above all, loved deeply.