Ralph J. Greene, age 84, of Eau Claire, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at home surrounded by his loving family. Ralph, the son of Aloysius and Anna Greene, was born February 2, 1930, in Franconia, MN. Ralph grew up on the family farm in Shafer, MN. After Ralph graduated from Osceola High School, he found work at Maple Island Creamery, in Stillwater, MN. Ralph met his future wife over samples of ice cream at Maple Island. Ralph and Rosemary were married in 1949, in the little white church that was originally part of the Greene home farm - St. Francis Church in Shafer, MN. During the next 60 years together, they had seven children, four girls and three boys. Ralph was blessed with many talents and interests. He was always working on cars, trucks, small engines, anything with moving parts; and if there were a few pieces left over at the end of the job they really weren't that important. Wonderful family memories were created at Ralph's cabin in Danbury, his second home. The cabin was made even more special by his close friends and neighbors there. He loved working the woods, constructing deer stands, the annual deer hunts with the crew, playing cards and telling hunting and fishing stories. Fishing was his favorite pastime, especially with his family on Staples Lake in Danbury and annual trips to Canada. His professional life was spent in the dairy industry, much of his career was with Land O' Lakes. His work took him around the globe including China, Iraq, and across the United States. He holds a patent for a process that he invented and also holds the unofficial title of 'Father of Powdered Infant Formula" in China. In all of his activities, Ralph's words and actions demonstrated that his priorities were faithfulness to God and his family. Ralph is survived by his six children, Louise Sanders, Thomas Greene, Audrey Washburn, John Greene, Susan Greene, and Patricia (James) Roach; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rosemary; son, Ronald; sisters, Mildred Rush and Mary Ann Hecht; brothers; Cyril, Herbert, George, Raymond, and Leon Patrick Greene; son-in-law, Robert Washburn; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Greene; and great-grandson, Nathan Ries. Visitation will be on Monday, December 29, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave. Eau Claire. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. St. Olaf Catholic Church, 3220 Monroe St. Eau Claire, with Father Felix Tigoy officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Eau Claire, WI. The family respectfully requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Catholic Charities or a charity of your choice. To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery 4100 S Hastings Way Eau Claire WI 54701

Visitation

Monday, December 29 2014 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Tuesday, December 30 2014 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Olaf Catholic Church 3220 Monroe St. Eau Claire WI 54703

Mass of Christian Burial

Tuesday, December 30 2014 11:00 AM

St. Olaf Catholic Church 3220 Monroe St. Eau Claire WI 54703