Ralph "Shorty"

Eugene Shoemaker

Ralph E. "Shorty" Shoemaker, 90, Lake Mills, passed away on Friday, April 20, 2018, at the Lake Mills Health Center "Willowbrook".

He was born on November 11, 1927 in London, Wisconsin, the son of the late Clarence and Alice (Bergholz) Shoemaker.

Shorty married Lorraine Fischer on January 14, 1956. They recently celebrated their 62 wedding anniversary.

He entered the U.S. Army in 1946 and served from 1946-1947.

Shorty had been employed by Lakeland Farms for 12 years and it is where he met his wife Lorraine.

Shorty then worked for the Jefferson County Highway Department for the next 25 years, retiring in 1988.

A longtime member of the Lake Mills Moravian Church and had served as an usher for many years.

He was also a member of the Clarence Bean-Warren George Post #67 of the Lake Mills American Legion proudly serving as their bugler for many years.

Shorty also enjoyed working at the legion hamburger stand.

He formed his own orchestra in 1949 and at one time had 9 musicians. They played for many wedding and anniversary dances.

Shorty played the drums, trumpet, tenor and alto saxophones. He also did his own vocals.

He produced two albums, one in 1980 and another in 1983.

Shorty had the "Shorty Fun Float" during the summer months in the 70's for parades.

He also entertained for many years at Willowbrook for their Octoberfest.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine; daughter, Sandra (Curtis) Jensen of Sun Prairie; grandchildren, Stacee Jensen, Heather (Brian) Meyer, Nathan Russell; great grandchildren, Zoey and Hailey Schuck, Mackenzie and Gavin Meyer; brother, Jerry (Trudy) Shoemaker of Lake Mills; 1 niece and 2 nephews.

Also preceding in death was a brother, Floyd, killed in the service in 1944; daughter, Lori Russell; sister, Sylvia Schultz; two nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the Rock Lake Cemetery in Lake Mills with the Rev. Dave Sobek officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Lake Mills American Legion Post.

A luncheon will follow at the Moravian Church Fellowship Hall.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Lake Mills Moravian Church.

"The most important part of Shorty's life, aside from his wife, was his love of music"

www.claussenfuneralhome.com