Ralph Hubert Fochs

Ralph H. Fochs, 86, Mosinee, passed away peacefully, on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at Marshfield Medical Center, Weston, with his family by his side.

He was born on March 23, 1937, in Wausau, WI, son of the late Fred and Dorothy (Dittman) Fochs.  He married Lillian “Cubby” Shnowske on July 19, 1958, at St. Paul Catholic Church, she survives.

Ralph married his high school sweetheart Cubby at St. Paul Catholic Church 65 years ago celebrating their anniversary on July 19, 2023.

He retired from the Mosinee Paper Mill after 48 years.  Ralph was an entrepreneur starting a carpet cleaning business, a real estate developer and home building contractor.  In his younger years Ralph enjoyed playing hockey with the Mosinee Paper Makers, achieving the 1954 State Championship.    Ralph was a youth hockey coach in Mosinee for Squirt, PeeWee and Bantams in which his sons played.

Ralph was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed waterfowl hunting, deer hunting and fishing.   He especially enjoyed the many times with family and friends at the cottage on the Big Eau Pleine.   He began a yearly tradition of celebrating Opening Fishing and a Labor Day Venison Feed that will be carried on.

Ralph enjoyed watching his grandsons play basketball and hockey, taking road trips with Cubby and taking care of his landscaping, using his beloved chainsaw, and feeding the birds. Ralph and Cubby were meant to be.  As his children we are who we are because of their love for each other and could not ask for more.  Thank you, Dad, we will miss you and love you always. The family would like to thank Father Aaron Becker, the Marshfield Medical Center Weston for their excellent care for Dad and all the staff at Acorn Hill.

Survivors include his wife, Cubby; children, Pamela (Gary) Ida, Eau Claire, Sherry (Scott) Klemm, Mark (Jocelyn) Fochs, Paul (Laura) Fochs, and Seth (Tammy) Fochs, Vicki (Glenn) Kowalski, and son-in-law, Gary Walters, all of Mosinee; grandchildren, Paige (Christopher) Ida,  Grant Ida (Karen), Cory (Sally) Holzhauer, Nick (Kaci) Klemm, Kolton (Brandi) Klemm, Mackenzie (Joshua) Knight-Fochs, Kaitlyn Fochs, Anna Fochs, Sarah Fochs (Robert), Jacob Fochs, Amber (Michael) DeBroux, Austin Fochs (Sophie), Casey Kowalski, Cyle Kowalski, Cole Kowalski, Chase Kowalski, Bridgette (Kyle) Walters, Olivia Walters; and 7 great-grandchildren. Ralph was preceded in death by a daughter Beth Walters, and a sister, Rachel Kann.

Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee.  The Rev. Aaron Becker will officiate.  Burial will take place at St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.  Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.