H. Ralph Vannaman

Harold Ralph Vannaman, 90, of Marinette, WI died peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning, November 16, 2025. He was born June 13, 1935 in Walsh, Baca County, Colorado - the only child of the late James Ralph and Dorotha Marie (Heckethorn) Vannaman. As a child, he studied violin, piano and dance, and performed tap-dancing on a drum and playing violin at USO shows in California.
"Ralph" was a 1953 graduate of Walsh Colorado High School. He studied theology and vocational education at college in Los Angeles, CA where he met his lifetime love, Annabelle Thelma Patz. They were married September 7, 1957 at First Baptist Church, Pound, WI. He was a Junior Pastor at the Los Angeles Church they attended. The couple lived in Southern California, starting their family with a son and a daughter. In 1961, they moved to Pound, WI and added another daughter. In 1964, Ralph and "Anne" moved their growing family to Green Bay, adding one more daughter and son and then moved to Abrams in 1971 where they had another daughter.
Ralph was a truck driver, then became a machinist at Fort Howard Paper Company, from which he retired to take care of his wife. He also taught vocational machinist classes at NWTI and was a Boy Scout leader. His interests included music (he played violin, ukelele, guitar, harmonica and sang), acting, directing and volunteering at the Machickanee Players Theatre, and Tae Kwon Do as well as other martial arts. He became a karate instructor in Oconto County and achieved a level of 4th degree black belt. He loved traveling and spending time with his wife. He loved seeing his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As an only child, he was very proud of his large and growing family. He also enjoyed reading, building & flying model airplanes with his eldest son and namesake, Ralph Jr., who was born on his birthday. Ralph was a long-time member of First Baptist Church and professed his faith in God. In the past several years, he attended Twin City Baptist Church in Marinette. He spent many hours immersed in his Bible and loved listening to & singing gospel music as well as many other music types.
Survivors include his children; Ralph Jr. (Colleen) of MI, Dorotha Tarbox of IL, Deborah (Rich) Wood, of WI, Anne Marie Vollrath, of WI, Michael Vannaman, of OK, Susan (Michael) Murdock of CO, former daughters-in-law - Julie Pasternak of WI and Zulay Vannaman of OK, former son-in-law John Vollrath of WI, fifteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Willie (Barb) Patz, sisters-in-law, Linda (Ted) Burkhart, Rita Patz, and Ada (Roger) Kostreva, many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, mother-in-law and father-in-law – William & Elsie Patz, beloved wife – Anne, son-in-law – Marvin Tarbox, former son-in-law – Ralph Payne, many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, grandson-in-law – Rob Sanders, and great-grandchildren.
At Ralph's request, there will be no funeral service. A private burial will be attended by close family. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, whom he missed with all his heart.