Ralph A. Steimel, Died March 17, 2018

Ralph A. Steimel

Died March 17, 2018

SUTTONS BAY – Ralph Alphonsus Steimel, 90, of Suttons Bay, passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018 at home.

Ralph was born Feb. 23, 1928 in Suttons Bay in the apartments behind today’s Ice Cream Factory.  He was the son of the late Howard A. Steimel and Nellie (Borgerson) Steimel.  The Steimel’s, along with the Walter’s and Kohler families, were some of the original settlers of Suttons Bay; with all three families originating from the same town in Germany.

He was the son of a commercial fisherman and at a young age was introduced to fishing on their property at what is today’s Suttons Bay swimming beach near the Marina.  He began trapping at an early age to make extra money.  Ralph always regretted not buying a camera when he was young so that photos of his father’s docks, boat and ice houses could have been passed onto his family.

Ralph graduated from Suttons Bay Schools valedictorian of his class and attended Central Michigan University.  He retired from Consumers Energy after 40 years of employment in the Accounting Department.  Ralph continued to love the outdoors through his adulthood making time to hunt and fish and taking annual hunting trips to Wyoming with his wife and sons.  His sons and grandchildren credit him with teaching them all they know about hunting and fishing.  He continued his outdoor life well into his eighties, going alone in his aluminum boat casting lines in Suttons Bay and other area lakes or creek fishing.

He loved organizing picnics and enjoying the company of family.  Ralph never forgot a birthday or mailing holiday cards.  Ralph would make a special Easter Egg for his kids, even into their adult years.  He was a Detroit Tigers fan and enjoyed watching every game he could on TV.  In recent years he stayed active with weekly Polka Dances at the Leelanau Sands Casino.

Ralph loved his dogs, especially his dog “Skip”.  He was a life-long member of St. Michael’s Church of Suttons Bay and long-time usher.  Ralph was a man whose character was based on faith, family and being a personal example of doing the right thing to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ralph is survived by his children, Kathy (Craig) Omo, Allen (Marjorie) Steimel, Mark (Shelly) Steimel; his grandchildren, Amy (Adam) Rodriguez, Daniel (Tammy) Hazel, Megan (Benjamin) Aubry, Nicholas Steimel, Jason Steimel; his great grandchildren, David Ranta, Eddie Monske, Otto Monske, Isaac Monske, Jose^’ Rodriguez, Alexis Rodriguez, Benjamin Hazel, Kadence Hazel and Eleanor Aubry.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Florence (Reicha) Steimel, their infant daughter, Eleanor Steimel; his second wife, Eleanor M. (Johnson) Steimel in 1998, his sister and brother in law, Edna (Lloyd) Zeilman; and a special friend, Patricia Johnson Frisk.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 23 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 24 at St. Michael’s Church of Suttons Bay.  Burial will be announced in the spring.  Father Leonard Paul will serve as Celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to St. Michael’s Church, PO Box 9, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

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