John Francis "Pa" Ragan died August 25, 2010 in Hayden, Idaho. " Pa" was born February 28, 1915 to Valentine and Magdalena Pieszala Ragan at So. Milwaukee, WI. He grew up and was educated in So. Milwaukee. When he was 17 years old, he went to work for Ladish Mfg. Co. in Milwaukee as a Drop Forge Operator. The company made arms components for the military. He married Stella Hanks on August 13, 1936 at Sisseton, S.D. They made their home in Milwaukee. During World War II, he became a foreman of a crew of 5 at Ladish and he worked as a Hammer Operator where they manufactured torpedo caps for the U.S. Govt. After John and Stella were married, they began collecting and restoring all types of antiques including musical machines, player pianos and juke boxes. In 1963, John and Stella followed their sons to Idaho and bought 10 acres on the St. Joe River to plan their dream of building a Musical Museum and restaurant. In 1969, he retired from Ladish and moved to Idaho and opened "Ragan's Golden 20's Musical Museum" at Marble Creek on the St. Joe River. They sold the museum in 1980 and retired. John enjoyed working on classic cars and player pianos until he was 86 years old. He loved taking pictures of his family who meant the world to him and was always available to help out anytime someone needed him. He enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren and hunting for treasures at flea markets and yard sales. He loved music and collected over 4, 000 records. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of St. Maries. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Buster and Janice Ragan of St. Maries. He is also survived by his sister Josephine Drosen, 93, of Chippewa Falls, WI, 7 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 17 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Stella Margaret, his son Larry Ragan and his brother Frank Ragan and sisters Stella and Angeline. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Hodge Funeral Home with Rev. Vincenta Cisneros officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with a gathering of family and friends at the St. Maries Eagles Lodge. The family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Idaho or Benewah County. www.hodgefuneralhome.com.
