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Ralph J. Bakewell, age 82, of Onalaska, WI passed away Sunday, January 5, 2025 at his home. Funeral service was held Tuesday, January 14 at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in Onalaska, WI. Burial followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery located in La Crosse, WI.
Ralph was born October 20, 1942 in Waukon to the late Joseph and Luella (Schulte) Bakewell. He attended St. Patrick Grade and High School in Waukon. Ralph married Kathryn (Netwal) in 1966 and had three children: Debbie, Steve and Diane.
Ralph was an avid race car driver back in the day and you would find him at the La Crosse Interstate Speedway almost every Wednesday night for many years with his family up in the stands watching the red, white and blue #60 car. There are many memories of his children rolling down the hills in the yard inside a stock car tire.
Besides racing, Ralph was a jack of all trades during his life, which included working at Wettsteins where he built the lighted tree on top of their building which was seen for many years after. He also had owned and operated American Drywall where his kids would find him walking on his stilts many a time with a drywall board perched on top of his head. His longest run and last passion was owning RAL Investments where he bought, worked on and sold cars and from which he retired from several years ago.
Every Saturday night, Ralph would attend church at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, WI through any type of weather until he was no longer able to do so. Ralph was a Wheel of Fortune fan, rarely missing an episode, and would usually always solve the puzzle first against whomever was sitting with him.
Ralph loved watching his grandkids grow up and then also the great-grandkids as they came along. He was always asking how everyone was doing and always had a smile and a wave for all the grandkids when they visited.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathy; his children, Debbie Bakewell and Diane (Steve) Weilandt; his grandchildren, Christopher Greinke Bakewell, Justin (Savannah) Weilandt, Joey Weilandt, Miranda Friemel, Cameron Weilandt and Makayla Huntington; and five great-grandchildren, Bennett, Layla, Noelle and Roman Weilandt, and Ethan Friemel; his sister, Jan Howes; his brother, Jim (Joyce) Bakewell; and his sister-in-law, Bonnie Bakewell.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Luella; his son, Steve; his brothers, Larry, Ron, Bob and Ken; his brother-in-law, Bill Howes; and his sister-in-law, Colleen Bakewell.
Fly high, Dad! Go, go, go #60 – we will miss you forever. Say hi to Steve for us, we love you!