A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, August 31, 2018 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Marshfield, with Rev. Samuel Martin officiating.

Burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 54 and grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. The visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday at Rembs Funeral Home and from 9:30 am until service time on Friday at St. John’s Church. The Elks Lodge #665 of Marshfield will conduct a Lodge of Sorrow at 6:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.

Ralph was born January 5, 1926, in the Colby / Abbotsford area, to Albert and Martha (Clendennin) Pokallus.

From early on Ralph found power in knowledge and hard work a privilege. His youth was defined by the endless chores of a family farm and the opportunity to attend the local country school whenever possible. At the age of 17 he eagerly stepped up to assist his country in WWII and found himself one of the few who survived the sinking of the S.S. Leopoldville by an enemy torpedo on Christmas Eve in 1944. He also proudly served under the leadership of Generals Clark and Patton during the infamous Battle of the Bulge.

Upon returning from the war, Ralph married his sweetheart, Thelma M. Treutel, on February 15, 1947. Always one to seek out the company of others, and engage in debate or just good conversation, Ralph was drawn to a career of sales with such firms as Rollohome, Reek Automobile Sales and A&B Process Systems. Throughout these years he continued his education, obtaining high school equivalency and courses in sales and management.

Ralph enjoyed the outdoors, particularly sports, and in his early years was a member of the Marshfield Brewers baseball team. Being extremely competitive, he also excelled at bowling and horseshoe pitching and never turned down an opportunity to join his friends on a golf outing.

A strong supporter of high school football, Ralph served as President of Columbus High School’s Quarterback Club in the mid to late 1960’s. He maintained his membership with the Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the VFW.

Ralph is survived by five children; Terre (Kevin) Jones, Cindy (Shawn) Schuster, Randall (Deborah Faucher) Pokallus, Richard (Patricia Rebone) Pokallus, and Robert Pokallus, all of Marshfield, two sisters: Gloria Frey and Carol (David) Johnson, a sister-in-law, Ardelle Eckes, a brother-in-law, James (Noreen Perkl)  Treutel; eight grandchildren: Jennifer (Derek) Hoernke, Timothy (Pamela Karch) Stoy, Christopher (Kara Boughton) Schuster, Eric (Ashley Weigel) Pokallus, Michael (Kayla Doyle) Pokallus, Aaron Pokallus, Jason (Sara Ewer) Pokallus, and Conor Pokallus; 14 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was deeply loved, everyone’s “Uncle Ralph”, and his passing will leave a significant void in the lives of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving spouse, Thelma, a daughter, Mary, a daughter-in-law, Renee (Hertel) Pokallus; brothers: Carl, James, Lawrence and Dale; a brother-in-law Norman Frey, a sister and brother-in-law: Lola and Art Sterzinger.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com