Martha Ragatz

Martha E. Ragatz, age 97, passed away peacefully onSunday, December 20, 2015, atOrchard Manorin Lancaster, WI, following a brief illness. Shewas born on March 14, 1918,in Potosi, WIthe daughter ofHenry and Emma (Dressler) Reynolds.

Marthagrew up inPotosi and graduated from Potosi High School in 1935. After high school, she went to work at Walsh's General Merchandise Store in Potosi, and worked there until they moved their store to Muscoda in 1942. She stayed on with Walsh's in Muscoda until October, 1942, when she returned to Potosi and was employed at Potosi State Bank. Marthamarried Charles J. Ragatz, Jr. on April 8, 1947, in Potosi. She worked at the bank until 1963, when Martha and Charles founded Dubuque Holiday Sales, a wholesale beer distributorship in Dubuque, IA. Charles ran the day-to-day operations and Martha kept the books until they retired and sold the business in 1982. She was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Catholic Church parish in Potosi. In her younger years, she loved dancing, and there was a dance ''almost every night.'' Martha enjoyed sewing her entire life, and made most of her own clothes. She was also an avid card player, ready to deal a hand any time there was a friend willing to play. Martha had a long, fun, and happy life filled with many good friends and a loving family.

Martha is survived byher three children: Mary Detra, Sun Prairie, WI; Ronald (Christine) Ragatz, Middleton, WI; Gary (Ida) Ragatz, East Lansing, MI; six grandchildren: Nathaniel Detra, Madison, WI; Sr. Airman Andrew Detra (Martha Seroogy), Honolulu, HI; Adam (Lindsey) Ragatz, Morrison, CO; Lisa Ragatz, Duluth, MN; Justin Ragatz, Middleton, WI; William (Claire) Cantrell, Williamston, MI; two great-grandchildren: William Cantrell and Lily Cantrell; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Charles, who passed away in 1999 after 52 years of marriage, Martha was also preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Emma Reynolds; sisters: Mary "Mae" (Alphonse) Patzner, Hannah (Mahlon) Elskamp, and Florence (Donald) Flesch; brothers: Walter Reynolds and Clarence "Kerney" (Dorothy) Reynolds.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Potosi with Father Richard Leffler officiating. Burial was in the St. Thomas Cemetery. Family and friends called on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Potosi, where a 3:45 p.m. parish rosary was held. Friends also called on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Martha E. Ragatz memorial fund has been established.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Orchard Manor for the outstanding, compassionate care Martha received during her stay there.

Martha's family welcomes all to a luncheon held at Holiday Gardens immediately following the committal service at the cemetery.