Ralph Daniel Pekel

Ralph Daniel Pekel, 91, of the northwoods, passed away on August 17, 2026. Born February 28, 1935, near East Troy, Wisconsin, Ralph lived a long, full life marked by hard work, generosity, good humor, and a deep love of family and the outdoors.

From the age of 10, Ralph was in the garage working on cars at his dad’s shop—a calling that would define much of his life. After serving in the Korean War, where he was stationed mostly in Germany as a mechanic and bridge builder, he returned home and took on a variety of jobs. He worked at Rexnord in Milwaukee, poured concrete as a mason alongside his brother Don, and frequently pitched in with friends’ moving business. In 1975, he and his wife Florence (“Flo”) headed to the Northwoods to purchase the Parkside Motel. Two years later, in 1977, Ralph and his son Jeff opened Jeff’s Auto Repair in Woodruff. He worked side by side with Jeff until fully retiring at 83, setting the highest standard of customer care along the way. No one was ever turned away because it was late in the day or they were short on money. Ralph simply put the customer first, every time.

Ralph found joy in the simple, lasting things: duck and goose hunting, deer hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and any chance to be outdoors with Flo and the family. Mornings at the shop meant coffee and good conversation; evenings often meant a beer, a story, and a laugh. He had a ready supply of jokes and one-liners, and his favorite toasts after cracking open a cold one were classics like: “Hope you live forever and I never die,” or “Over the lips, over the gums, look out stomach, here she comes.” After selling the Motel, He and Flo spent winters in Arizona, where they made many good friends and cheered on the Packers together.

Ralph was predeceased by his wife, Florence Pekel. He is survived by his children—Jeff Nienow, Robert Nienow, Sandy Pavlow, Sue Seatz, Bonnie Kuhn, Darlene Lauderback, and Joette Shannon—along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will carry forward his stories, his humor, and his example of quiet generosity.

A private celebration of life will be held with family.