Ralph A. Buesing was born April 8, 1924; after a good life filled with his passions of painting and piano music, he died on July 7, 2018. Parents George and Alma (Wieckert) Buesing preceded him in death as well as his three brothers, three sisters and three sisters and brothers-in-law. He was married in 1950 to Dorothy Farnum with whom he had a son and daughter; he later married Pat (M.
Patricia) Cleereman Kools in 1980. Ralph is survived by his love, Pat; daughter Natalie Sunde, Boerne, TX; son Robert (Karen) Buesing, Tampa, FL; Pat’s sons: Peter (Susan) Kools, Charlottesville, VA and Mark (Carrie) Kools, Appleton; grandchildren: Stephanie (Jason) Younts, Scott Sunde; Rob (Jessica) Buesing, Juliet Buesing; Martha Kools, Ryan (Danielle) Kools, Ben Kools; five great grandchildren: Ella and Addy Younts, Dominic Buesing, Aubree and Logan Kools; a sister JoAnn DuVall and many nieces and nephews. Deceased are Ralph’s parents; brothers: Melvin ‘Bud’ (Vonnie) Buesing, Warren (Jean) Buesing and Ken (Jo) Buesing; sisters: Marcella (Bob) Polkinghorn, Elaine (Don) Hovde and Shirley (Bill) Hoge; son-in-law Tom Sunde; and Ralph’s former wife Dorothy Farnum.
Ralph was an Appleton native. He served his country in the U.S. Army as SSgt on a hospital train returning wounded to Germany. He also served briefly during the Korean Conflict.
He earned many letters and awards in football and basketball in both high school and Lawrence College, earning the American Legion Athlete of the Year Award in 1942 and All-Conference football player at Lawrence in 1945. He was employed at Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company in marketing and advertising, and as assistant to the president. Ralph was also in sales at Appleton Papers.
In his retirement he was involved part time with the Fox Valley Symphony as business manager. Besides Ralph’s painting and involvement with many bands in the area, he also loved bridge, skiing, tennis and golf. In later years he and his first singer John Haugner and later Michelle Scott Marr entertained at many nursing homes.
He earned Man of the Year from Downtown Kiwanis and many awards through his community involvement with Golden K Kiwanis. Ralph and Pat traveled extensively after being snowbirds in Naples, FL. Eventually returning to their Appleton home, they loved and cared for their cats from the Fox Valley Humane Society.
A very special thanks to Brewster Village, Cedars wing, for the tremendous care provided to Ralph. A Memorial Service for Ralph will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Memorial Presbyterian Church (803 E. College Ave) Appleton, with Rev. Michael Goodwin officiating.
Interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery. Friends may visit the family directly at church from 9:30 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the choir at Memorial Presbyterian where Ralph sang for 50 years or Leaven.
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