Ralph W. Duley

Ralph W. Duley, age 89 of Beaver Dam, passed away Friday, July 10, 2026, at Prairie Ridge Health in Columbus.

Ralph was born on September 25, 1936, in Merrill, Wisconsin, the son of George and Elizabeth (Heilmann) Duley.

On February 15, 1958, he was united in marriage to Elaine Seifert. They shared 51 wonderful years of marriage until her passing in 2009. Ralph began his career in 1958 at Perry Printing in Waterloo as a typesetter. As the printing industry advanced to web offset printing, he transitioned to working on the presses and was eventually promoted to Press Room Supervisor at the Waterloo plant. In 1984, Perry Printing expanded with a second facility in Baraboo to accommodate the printing of Time, Sports Illustrated, and People magazines. Ralph became the Plant Manager of the Baraboo facility, serving in that role until 1998. He later worked as a consultant for Schumann Printing in Fall River before retiring at the age of 70. During retirement, Ralph enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, and attending theater performances.

Ralph was united in marriage Donna Filter in September 2010, and they were blessed with 10 years together until her passing in 2020.

Ralph is survived by his children; Doug (Char) Duley of Muskego, Bruce (Sue) Duley of St. Michael, MN, and Cindy (Jeff) Beal of Beaver Dam; step-children, Jeff (Jill) Filter and Kristie Detert; his grandchildren, Danielle (Daniel), Leah, Stephanie (Logan), Caitlyn (Teddy), Andrew (Stephanie), Erika, Jason (Hallie), Alyssa (Ricky), and Emily; his step-grandchildren, Nicole (Blaine), Kinsey (Cody), and Kaylor (Mitch); 14 great-grandchildren; 19 step-great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Dee Duley; his brother-in-law, Marvin (Laura) Seifert; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Elaine, in 2009; his second wife, Donna, in 2020; his brothers, George, John, and Walter Duley; and his sisters, Edna Manke, Irene Stoeckmann, Esther Schultz, and Helen Hafemeister; and other relatives.

The family would like to extend their profound gratitude to Dr. Kavanaugh, Dr. Malzer, and all of the ICU nurses at Prairie Ridge Health in Columbus for their phenomenal, compassionate, and kind care, as well as their comforting words during Ralph's final days.

Visitation for Ralph will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Stratman officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam. 

If desired, memorials in Ralph's name may be directed to St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church.