Ronald George Eitel

Service Details

In accordance with Ron’s wishes, there will not be a formal service, but a family golf outing and celebration of life will take place later this summer. 

Memorial Suggestions

Memorials in Ron’s name have been suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, where he was a passionate supporter.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Ronald G. Eitel, 91, passed away peacefully at his residence on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Ron was born in Racine on October 1, 1933, the son of the late George and Marguerite (née Koenig) Eitel and brother of Mary (Thomas O’Hare) and Patricia (Gordon Severson).  Ron was a talented three-sport athlete in baseball, basketball, and golf, and graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in 1951.

Ron attended the University of Notre Dame for a year before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Tokyo, Japan, and Seoul, Korea following the Korean War. After his service, he attended the University of Arizona, where he studied business while continuing to develop his passion and talent for golf. He played the number one position three years on the Arizona golf team and was named captain his senior year.

In 1958, Ron returned to Racine and joined the family business, Eitel’s, Inc., which was founded by his father George in 1934. Ron learned the retail trade under his father’s guidance, eventually taking on full ownership.   On September 3, 1960, Ron married Judith M. Jacobs, at Holy Name Catholic Church.  Together, Ron and Judy nurtured both their family and their business. They relocated Eitel’s from downtown Racine to the Regency Mall in 1981, and then to the Shops at Woodlake in Kohler, Wisconsin, in 1995. They retired in 2005 after decades of hard work and dedication to the store, their employees and their customers.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Judy; their four children: Sandra, Linda (John Bautista), John (Jennifer, née Stadler), and Peter (Nancy, née Seitz); ten cherished grandchildren: Elizabeth (Brian Miller), Eric (Jade, née Ortiz), Evan (Jessica, née Olson), Kevin, Jacob, Brian, and Emily Eitel; Jack, Thomas, and Ben Bautista; and one great granddaughter, Quinn Miller.

A lifelong avid golfer, Ron was a 50-year member of Meadowbrook Country Club and competed in numerous Milwaukee District events. He held the course record at Johnson Park for several years and proudly carded eight holes-in-one over the course of his golfing life.

Ron wore many hats throughout his life—husband, father, grandfather, mentor, coach, role model, entrepreneur and soldier. He lived a full and meaningful life and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

In accordance with Ron’s wishes, there will not be a formal service, but a family golf outing and celebration of life will take place later this summer.  Memorials in Ron’s name have been suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, where he was a passionate supporter.