Ralph W. Engelhardt

Visitation Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
St. Jacobi Lutheran Church
8605 W Forest Home Ave. Greenfield WI 53228
Celebration funeral service will start at 11:00 AM
Ralph W. Engelhardt, age 75, was received into his heavenly home by his Lord and Savior on Monday, August 18, 2025 after having cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Sandra (nee Sowatzke), his son David, his son Matthew (wife Dawn), and his daughter Sara. Also survived by his grandchildren Evelyn and Clark. He is additionally survived by his brothers-in-law Norman Sowatzke (wife Marlene), Bryan Sowatzke (wife Susan), and Philip Sowatzke (wife Joan) nieces, nephews, loyal cousins, other relatives and friends.
Ralph was preceded in death by his mother Ethel Johanne Engelhardt (nee Steinbach), his father Wilbert Carl Engelhardt, and an infant stillborn sister Ceil Engelhardt. Also preceded in death by father-in-law Kenneth Sowatzke, mother-in-law Lucille Sowatzke, and a combined eleven Engelhardt and Steinbach uncles and aunts.
Ralph was born on July 31, 1950. He was baptized into the Lutheran Christian faith in August, 1950. He was confirmed into the Lutheran communicant faith on May 17, 1964. On September 24, 1979 he became engaged to marry. He and Sandy were married on May 31, 1980.
Ralph was born to loving parents who in particular fostered Ralph's musical skills. Ralph took to the piano in 4th grade. Ralph's parents bought him a piano followed by three types of organs, the last one being a full-sized organ. At age 14 Ralph was playing complete church services. He did so for 61 years until retiring in June 2025 due to his health complications. Ralph considered himself to be a "journeyman" church organist. To Ralph, being a journeyman was not being super-talented in playing supplemental church music but being steady and reliable in the playing of hymns and service liturgy for congregational singing. Ralph played hymns and liturgy with gusto and joy so that corresponding singing would be with gusto and joy, all to the glory of Jesus Christ our Savior for saving mankind from sin and giving all who believe in Jesus the gift of heaven after this time of grace on earth.
In addition to organ playing, Ralph served numerous years as an officer of St. Jacobi Ev. Lutheran Church in Greenfield, WI. He served several years as church President, Vice-President, and most recently as Financial Secretary. As President and Vice-President, Ralph gave many congregation presentations encouraging members to support the ministry of St. Jacobi and its facilities. Apart from serving in official church roles, Ralph devoted many years preparing the annual church budget. He absolutely enjoyed doing so.
Visitation with Ralph's family will be Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church 8605 W. Forest Home Ave, Greenfield WI 53228. The celebration funeral service will start at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow. A private family interment service will be at Wisconsin Memorial Cemetery.
Any memorial contributions to St. Jacobi Lutheran Church or to the Cancer Center at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin (cancer.mcw.edu), would be appreciated.
To God be the Glory!
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