Raphael H. Tranel

Raphael "Ray" H. Tranel, 79, of Dickeyville, died Friday, January 31, 2014, at Southwest Health Center, Platteville. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 6, 2014, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dickeyville, with Rev. Bernard Rott officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Chapel Military Rites will be accorded. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City where the parish wake service will be held at 2:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 8:45-10:00 a.m. Thursday morning at the funeral home before the service. Ray was born on April 2, 1934, the son of Urban and Rose (Freese) Tranel. He married Germaine Vaassen on May 21, 1957, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dickeyville. She died on January 26, 2011. Ray served in the United States Army. He worked at John Deere in Dubuque for 35 years and retired in 1992. He was a member of the rescue squad for over twenty-five years, the volunteer fire department for over forty years, and the VFW. He loved to fish, play cards and bowl. He and Germaine belonged to a card club for many years and loved to socialize with friends and family. Of course, going to their children's and grandchildren's sporting events took up much of their time with having 10 kids and 22 grandchildren. Survivors include six daughters, Deb (Terry) Kirk, of Cuba City, Carol Updike, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jane (Paul) Wedig, of Mineral Point, Karen (friend, Mark) Swanson, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa , Kay (Craig) Elskamp, of Sherrill, Iowa, and Aimee (Aaron) Richard, of Kieler; four sons, Don "Duck" (Susie) Tranel, of Dickeyville, Mike (friend Pam) Tranel, of Kieler, John (Judy) Tranel, of Cuba City, and Earl (Lisa) Tranel, of Lancaster; 22 grandchildren, Cody (Lorjean), Derek (friend Gina), and Heidi Tranel, Jackson and Gunner Tranel, Kevin (Crystal) Kirk, Kyle, and Kory (friend Dayna) Kirk, Samantha (Jino) Gonzalez and Tiffany (friend Adrienne) Updike, Jessie (Matt) Backes, Josh (Tricia), and Jamie (friend Reba) Tranel, Brianna and Brady Wedig, Bryan Griswold (friend Jordon), Stephanie and Nathan Tranel, Carissa and Kaitlyn Elskamp, and Riley and Tyson Richard; and five great-grandchildren, Averie and Skylee Gonzalez, Mason and Madison Kirk, and Caden Backes, with two great-grandchildren on the way, and two step great-grandchildren, Nathan and Erin Potter. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Germaine; and his sister, Dorothy Wagner-Splinter. Memorials may be made to the Raphael "Ray" H. Tranel Memorial Fund.