Ralph A. Nikodem

Ralph returned home to God on March 2, 2020, at the age of 91.  It is with great sadness that his family will miss a very unique individual. Whoever met Ralph, regardless of their age, liked Ralph.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Bruskiewitz Funeral Home at 5355 W. Forest Home Ave., from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M.  A second viewing will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 from 9:00 to 9:30 A.M. at Bruskiewitz Funeral Home.   A Mass Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 A.M. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 2114 W. Mitchell St., Milwaukee.  Burial will follow the Mass at St. Adalbert Cemetery in the chapel / mausoleum, 3801 S. 6th St., Milwaukee.

Ralph had a smile for everyone.  His “dry sense of humor” made people laugh and he always had kind words for all.  He enjoyed singing all of the old songs.   He took loving care of his “second mother” Lucille (Rosinski) up until her 100+ birthday. He loved going to Tuesday mass at St. Anthony’s and then stopping for a cup of coffee.  

Ralph joined the Army a few months before the start of the Korean conflict and served in Germany. That is where he learned how to drink warm beer.

Friends of Ralph told us that he would help them learn their homework  He would do the same for his siblings.  He was generous to many people along with writing checks every month to dozens of religious organizations. He kept a beautiful lawn and liked taking care of his many roses.  If he was working inside the house, he would come up with novel ideas for a now 120 year-old house. He was willing to not only help others but teach them “tricks of the trade” on how to paint, build and repair many things.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) or your favorite charity.