Obituary: 'Mr. Waukesha' Dies at Age 89

Ralph R. Staven, age 89, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, joined his beloved wife, Joan (nee Deil) Staven, in Heaven on Nov. 16, 2011.

He was born in Waukesha, WI, on Nov. 20, 1921 to Richard R. and Maybell (nee Kluge) Staven.  He served during World War II as a pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Philippines and Okinawa.  During his service he flew 82 combat missions earning multiple air medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross (2) and the Presidential United Citation.

Ralph was a graduate of Carroll College, served as a trustee in the 1980s and continued his support as an alumnus throughout his life.  His banking career began in 1947 with Waukesha Savings and Loan where he spent 53 years as CEO, President and Chairman, taking it from its original one location, through multiple mergers, to become First Financial Bank (now Associated Banc Corporation).

He remained on the Board of Directors until he retired in April of 2000.  He served on multiple financial institution boards including the Federal home Loan Bank Board of Chicago and of Washington, D.C. in the 1970’s.  Ralph was dedicated to the Waukesha community and served on multiple community, civic, and professional organizations throughout his career, earning him the tag “Mr. Waukesha” when he retired.  His retirement years were spent in Scottsdale, Arizona where he and his wife, Joan, enjoyed golf, friends, and family. 

Ralph is survived by his brother, LaVier Staven (Kansas);  his children Mark (Renee), Gary (Jean), David, of Waukesha, and Mary Beth (Stephen) Canham of Arizona; his 5 grandchildren, Lisa, Julie and Michael (Katie) Sabend; and Jason (Mary Jo) and Josh (Shannon) Canham; and by his 5 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Zachary, Chloe, Cole Canham, and Logan Sabend.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends in both Wisconsin and in Arizona.

A funeral mass was held in Scottsdale, Arizona on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011. There will be a vigil at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Avenue, Waukesha on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for family and friends. A private graveside service with full military honors will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations in his memory to the Ralph and Joan Staven Family Fund, c/o Waukesha County Community Fund (WCCF), 2727 North Grandview Blvd, Suite 122, Waukesha, WI 53188 to benefit the community they served and loved throughout their lives.

For further information, please call at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.