TOPEL, Lucille Joyce (Ralston) --- 1935-2011

EVANS, RALSTON, TOPEL, LIVINGOOD, GELO, SHUTTE, DOWSKE, LEWIS

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/4/2011 at 15:01:20

Lucille Topel

Lucille Joyce (Ralston) Topel, 76, of Milwaukee, WI died Monday, June 27, 2011 at 1:15 p.m. at Zilber Family Hospice Facility in Wauwatosa, WI. Funeral services were held Friday, July 1 at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield, WI. Entombment followed at Wisconsin Memorial Park Cemetery.
She was the daughter of Earl J. Ralston and Phoena Ann (Evans) Ralston, born May 22, 1935 on her parents' farm southwest of Rossville. She attended the Bear Hollow Country School in Franklin Township and the Waukon High School in Waukon. She was a younger child of nine siblings. There were seven older than her and one younger. She also had four sisters and four brothers.
February 6, 1954, she married Wilburt Topel at the Methodist Church near Monona. They were blessed with four children, Russell, Dennis, Sandra and Vicki. They made their way east, following Wilburt’s career with the railroad. They eventually reached Milwaukee, WI in 1958 where they settled to raise their family. Once all the children began school, Lucille starting working as a cook. She worked at several restaurants before retiring with Wilburt.
She spent many years in scouting. She acted as a Den Mother for several years, then became a trainer for future Den Mothers. She was awarded the covenant Silver Beaver in 1986, the highest honor given for those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her granddaughter, Jillian Topel at age 3; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Beulah and Milo Livingood of Postville, Helen and George Gelo of Waukon, Marjorie and Ruben Shutte of Decorah, and Roberta Livingood of Postville; three brothers, Curtis Ralston at age six, Dale Ralston and his wife Mildred of Lenexa, KS and Gerald Ralston of Escondido, CA; and a sister-in-law, Pat Ralston of Los Angeles, CA.
Survivors include her husband, Wilburt; her daughters, Sandra Dowske of Milwaukee, WI and Vicki (Paul) Lewis of Mukwonago, WI; her sons, Russell (Wina) Topel of Sheboygan, WI and Dennis Topel of Goodyear AZ; seven grandchildren, Scott Topel of Bloomington, MN, Cory Topel of Madison, WI, Christopher Dowske of Los Angeles, CA, Alexander Dowske of Milwaukee, WI, Sarah Skowron of Milwaukee, WI, Curtis Topel of Mukwonago, WI, and Greta Mau-Lewis of Racine, WI; three great-grandchildren, Peyton Skowron, Aynslee Topel and Audrey Topel; a brother, Leon (Pauline) Ralston of Dubois, WY; and many nieces and nephews.

The Waukon Standard, July 7, 2011

Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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