Ralph Tarras

Ralph Edward Tarras passed away on February 4, 2024, at the age of 81. He was born on March 2, 1942, in Gary, Indiana. Ralph took his last breath at his home in Weston, Wisconsin, with his devoted wife of 58 years, Mary, at his side.

Ralph had a remarkable journey through life. His passion for law led him into law enforcement. He started working for the Marathon County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sherrif in 1967 and retired as a Detective in 1995 after 28 years of service. Prior to that, he worked for the Department of Natural Resources in fish management and as a part-time warden. During this time, he met Mary, and they were married in 1966. He loved to tell stories of his work adventures. Especially getting stuck on the back roads. This was often in the state-owned station wagon. Getting into those secluded lakes was no easy chore.

Ralph enjoyed nature. He loved bird watching (especially the bluebirds and woodpeckers), nature photography, hunting, and fishing. He enjoyed camping with his family at Clear Lake. He also loved to work on classic cars. Ralph restored a 1954 GMC truck to pristine condition. It was so nice he didn’t like to drive it for fear it would get damaged. Ralph's presence was infectious and his commitment to his profession and hobbies was nothing short of admirable.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Mary, whom he cherished every single day. Together they raised two sons, Tim (Julie) and Jeff (Beth) and four grandchildren, Breanna, Trevor, Lexie, and Conner. They brought so much joy to Ralph. His love for his family knew no bounds, and he took pride in his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph (Rudy) and Velma and his siblings, Corinne, Betty, Harold (Hap), and Barb.

Visitation will be from 12 pm until the time of the memorial service at 2:15 pm on Friday, February 23 at BRAINARD FUNERAL HOME at 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. This will be followed by 3 O'clock coffee. 

Ralph will be deeply missed by his Family and Friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ralph's name may be made to the American Heart Association (American Heart Association).