Ralph "Buddy" Dougherty

Ralph T. "Buddy" Dougherty, 83, of Waukon, IA, died Thursday, September 3, 2015, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 8th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes, Fr. Donald Hawes, and Deacon Mike Ward officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may call from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Monday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 2:45 PM scripture service.


Ralph "Buddy" Thomas Dougherty was born December 11, 1931, on his parents' farm in rural Waukon, IA, the son of John and Anna (Haas) Dougherty. He attended Makee country school and St. Patrick Catholic High School. On February 16, 1963, he married Janice Starkey at St. Mary's Lycurgus Catholic Church in rural Waukon. Buddy farmed with his father for a few years. In 1970, he went to work for Bob Stilwell as a carpenter before working for Gary Berger doing concrete work until 1991.

Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing, listening to music, and following his sons Dave and Pat's bands. Buddy loved telling stories and spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Janice of Waukon; his children: David (Brenda) Dougherty, Diana (Chad) Ness, and Shelly (Randy) Vine, all of Waukon, Brian Dougherty of Dorchester, IA, and Jamie Dougherty of Waukon; 19 grandchildren; a brother Bernard Dougherty of New Albin, IA; three sisters: Mabel Sires of Mabel, MN, Anna (Charlie) Souhrada of Texas, and Marie Herold of Osage, IA. He is preceded in death by his parents; a son Patrick Dougherty; three sisters: Florence Lembke and Joan and Jean Dougherty; and three brothers: Vincent, Francis, and Leo Dougherty; and an infant sibling.


Honorary casketbearers are Ralph's grandchildren. Casketbearers are Mike, John, and Greg Dougherty, Ken Lembke, Ed Herold, Bill Sires, and Shawn Souhrada.