Ralph W. Mantzke

Ralph W. Mantzke, age 93 of Sparta, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023. He was born on April 11, 1930 in Sparta, Wisconsin to the late Emil and Dorothy (Perkins) Mantzke.

On April 6, 1956 Ralph married Shelby Crook. Together they had 4 children and were blessed with 67 years of marriage. He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Sparta.

Ralph graduated from Sparta High School with the class of 1948. He owned a farm in Farmers’ Valley which he called the Tamarack Ranch and later worked for the State of Wisconsin Prison system retiring in 1995.

Sports were a big part of Ralph’s life. He played football, boxed and ran track before he contracted polio at the age of 16. He never let the polio stop him and was a true model of perseverance. He coached his kids in a variety of sports as they grew up. Ralph was an avid sports fan of the Packers, Brewers and Badgers and loved to talk about the last game or the next player coming to the team.

Ralph is survived by his wife Shelby, and his children, Denise (Peter) Lukasek, Eric (Debbie) Mantzke, Jeff (Katie) Mantzke and Karl Mantzke. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Jennifer (Lucas) Erickson, Sara (John) Pudowski, Jason (Cara) Lukasek, Craig (Crystal) Mantzke, Kristin (Michael) Mortenson, Brent (Cora) Mantzke, Jesse Mantzke and Hallie Mantzke. Great grandchildren, Claire Lukasek, Penelope Pudowski, Madeline Brooks, Aiden Brooks, Uriah Erickson, Maxwell Mortenson, Annie Mortenson & soon to be born baby Mantzke. Brother-in-law Fred Crook and sister-in-law Hattie Crook, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law Clyde and Helen Crook. Sister Virginia Euckert and brother-in-law Don Euckert. Brother-in-laws Walter Crook and Lowell Crook. Sister-in-law Karen Crook.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with Rev. Jon Hackbarth officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John’s Ev Lutheran Cemetery, Sparta.

Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Friends may share condolences on-line at schanhoerfh.com.

Our family would like to thank all the wonderful compassionate people who served in his care while he was at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center.

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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