Ralph Richardson
October 23, 1931 - September 01, 2016
Obituary
Fitchburg-Ralph H. Richardson, age 84, passed away Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Willow Pointe in Verona. He was born in Madison, WI on October 23, 1931, the youngest son of Edward and Agnes (O’Brien) Richardson. Ralph grew up farming on the family farm in Fitchburg. He graduated from Edgewood High School in 1949 and later joined the United States Army. On May 29, 1954, he married the love of his life, Darlene Frazier. After his time in the service, Ralph worked for Bowman Dairy as milkman while still working on the family farm. In 1974, he began operating the Mt. Horeb A&W. In 1986, Ralph purchased the Verona A&W. He remodeled and reopened in the spring of 1987. He retired from the restaurant business in 1999.
Ralph was a founding member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison as well as the church’s choir where he sang under the direction of his wife Darlene. Ralph was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Serra Club of Madison and the Elks Club Madison.
Ralph is survived by his son, Jeffrey Richardson; daughters, Ann (Steve) Donovan and Beth Richardson; grandchildren, Maggie, Logan, Alissa, Monique and Makayla; sister-in-law, Patricia Lutomski; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Darlene Richardson; his brothers, Joe, Jim, Eugene, Walter, Leo and Gordon; and his sisters, Mary, Margaret, Frances, Agnes and Katie.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave, Madison, with Msgr. Michael Burke presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9am until 10:45am. Burial will take place following the service at Resurrection Cemetery.
A special thank you to the staffs at Willow Pointe, Agrace Hospice and St. Marys Care Center for the care and support provided to Ralph. Also a special thanks to all the friends and family that visited Ralph.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Ralph’s name to Agrace Hospice Care.