Ralph Karl Kreutzer

Madison -- Ralph K. Kreutzer, age 87 passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at Avalan Assisted Living with his wife by his side.   He was born in 1922 in Athens , Wisconsin , the son of Andrew and Clara (Lueck) Kreutzer. Ralph served in the United States Air Force as a Flight Engineer, gunner on a B-24 heavy bomber and he served with the 8th Air Force in the European theatre of operation during WWII. He received an Honorable discharge from the military service as a sergeant in 1946.  Ralph attended the University of Oshkosh and the University of Wisconsin Business College and later obtaining a degree from the Madison Business School with a Masters of Accounts and Business Administration Degree.   In October of 1951, Ralph was united in marriage to Grace Cuff in Dalton , Wisconsin . Together they raised four children. For 34 years, Ralph worked for the State of Wisconsin for the State Banking Department as a bank examiner until his retirement in 1987. He was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church , Christian Men's Fellowship, couples club, the American Legion and a life long member of the VFW Post #1318.   Ralph was also an active member of the Boy Scout Troop #50 in Oregon , Wisconsin .   During his involvement in the boy scouts he received the Silver Beaver Award. Ralph loved to play with his grandchildren and in his spare time he enjoyed woodworking.   He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Grace Kreutzer of Madison, two sons; John Kreutzer of Madison  and Jim Kreutzer of Portage, two granddaughters; Alicia and Brittany, brother-in-law; Bruce Johnson of Minnesota and a sister-in-law; Josephine Kreutzer of Madison.   Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, two sons; Wayne and Mark and two sisters; Dorothy and Margery and a brother, Andrew.   Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH , 312 Wisconsin Avenue , Madison on Friday, October 2, 2009 at 11:00 am with Reverend Laura Sutherland officiating. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:00 am until the time of services. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park Chapel with military honors to follow chapel services.     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Ralph to Bethel Lutheran Endowment Foundation, 312 Wisconsin Ave. , Madison , WI 53703-2108 , HospiceCare Facility, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway , Madison , WI 53711 , Avalan Assisted Living, 2879 Fish Hatchery Road , Fitchburg , WI 53713 or to the Boy Scout Troop #50, Oregon , Wisconsin . The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the HospiceCare Facility and Avalan Assisted Living for their care and support.