Holterman, (ret.), Col. Ralph JamesUS Army Retired Colonel Ralph James Holterman, 87, of Fond du Lac, WI passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday March 21, 2017. Ralph was born on October 12, 1929 in Fond du Lac to Robert and Luella (Clapham) Holterman. He grew up on a farm in the village of Taycheedah where he participated in 4H. He attended Liberty School in Taycheedah (a one room county school), Roosevelt Junior High and he graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1947. He earned a Bachelors Degree at the University of Nebraska in Omaha in 1970 under the U. S. Army "Bootstrap Program."Ralph met Kathleen Corcoran while they both worked at Gilmore Motorcycle Parcel Delivery in 1949. They were married on June 18, 1950. Kathleen was a great supporter of all his activities. Besides his wife Kathleen, he is survived by 6 children: daughter; Pam George of University Place, WA, son; Thomas Holterman of St. Francis, WI, daughters; Linda (Duane) Opperman of Liberty Hill, TX, Sandra (Thomas) Lenchanko of Wahiawa, HI, Evelyn (Brett) White of Valley Spring, TX and son; Mark (Debbie) Holterman of Chickasha, OK, 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Mary (William) Stephany , their children, Keith(Joanne) Stephany, Kay (David) Rice and John (Leslie) Stephany of Fond du Lac with whom he enjoyed a close relationship. Also, many other nieces and nephews. He was proud of his children and their accomplishments. The family had many good times in their travels.His love of country lead him to enlist in the Wisconsin National Guard in 1948. Ralph was selected to and graduated with the first class of the Wisconsin State Patrol. He served as a State Patrolman until October 1961 at which time he was ordered to active duty as a Company Commander in the Wisconsin National Guard in support of the Berlin Crisis.Military assignments include: Wisconsin National Guard (PVT to CPT) 1948-1961. Infantry Company Commander, 32nd Infantry Division and 4 ID, Fort Lewis, WA, 1961-1963. S3. 1st Battle Group, 22nd Infantry and 4 ID, Fort Lewis WA, 1963. Company Commander/Post Commander, USARAL Spt, Alaska, 1963-1966. Team Chief, Machine Gun Team/Instructor Weapons Department, The Infantry School, Fort Benning GA, 1966-1967. District Senior Advisor, MACV, Republic of Vietnam, 1967-1968. Post S2/3, Fort McCoy, WI, 1968-1969. Division G3 Advisor/Regimental Senior Advisor, 21st ARVN Division, MACV, Republic of Vietnam, 1970-1971. STOP Operations Officer, Battle Staff 1, CINCPAC Airborne Command Post, Hawaii, 1971-1975, high point. He provided airborne command support for President Nixon's trip to China. Nuclear Weapons Employment Officer/OCI Corps Operations Center, III Corps G3, Fort Hood, TX 1975-1978. Deputy Operations and Plans Officer, HQ TCATA, Fort Hood, TX 1978-1981. Military Decorations include: Bronze Star Medal w/V Device and 2 Oak Lead Clusters' Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal w/V Device and Numerals 8; Army Commendation Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Purple Heart; National Defense Service Medal; Expert Infantryman Badge; Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Silver Service Star; Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ 2 10 year devices; Aircraft Crewman Badge; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm; Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, First Class; Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal, First Class; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Silver Star. Organizations Ralph was involved in include: Knights of Columbus, Councils 6658 and 664. Past Grand Knight, Former District Deputy, Texas State Recruiting Chair in Father Zefus 4th Depress Assembly 1211, active participant in Boys Scouts of America for 40 years, American Legion Post 75, VFW Post 1904, DAV chapter 14, FDL Red Arrow Club, 127th Infantry and 32nd Veteran Association and Galloway House volunteer.Ralph converted to Catholicism in 1958 saying it was "one of the best things I ever did." He, Kathleen and their family enjoyed the cabin "Upnorth" on Lake Van Zile, Newald for over 50 years along with Packer games, casino trips, hunting, fishing, golf and researching family history. Ralph enjoyed his weekly visits to the Backyard Bar and Grill where he preferred sitting in the Garage area.He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Luella Holterman, his mother and father-in-law James and Irene Corcoran, his brother Nate, his sisters Grace and Dorothy, and his nephews Jim Holterman, David Snider and Donald Snider. Visitation: Ralph's family will greet relatives and friends at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St., Fond du Lac on Friday, March 24, 2017 from 2:00 to 3:15 PM.Service: A funeral service will be celebrated after visitation, at the funeral home on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 3:30 PM. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Charles Cemetery, in the town of Taycheedah. In lieu of flowers, it is preferred donations should be made to one of the following: the Galloway House, the Knights of Columbus or the Historical Society of Fond du Lac.Zacherl Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.comThe family would like to thank all EMS, Emergency Room & ICU staff members who provided care for our beloved Ralph.