Obit: Raczykowski, Bernard (1931 - 2007)

Contact: Shari Hahn
Email: steppinwest@elknet.net

Surnames: Raczykowski, Kajden, Smudde, Kliner, Sautner, Marier, Bradway

----Sources: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Sept 1, 2007

Raczykowski, Bernard (July 14, 1931 - Aug 30, 2007)

ABBOTSFORD -- Bernard Raczykowski, 76, of Abbotsford, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Abbotsford, Wis. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Colby, with full military rites by the Unity American Legion Post. The Rev. Ben Franklin will officiate. Pallbearers will be Tim Kliner, Jeff Kliner, Brandon Kliner, Chris Raczykowski, Jesse Raczykowski and Justin Steele.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at Maurina/Community Funeral Home, Abbotsford, and after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. There will be a prayer service at 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Maurina/Community Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Bernard was born July 14, 1931 in Hayward, Sawyer County, the son of Joseph and Hattie (Kajden) Raczykowski. He moved with his family to Greenwood, and then later to the family farm in the town of Unity. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1952 and was later discharged. Bernard "Bernie" and Emily Smudde were married Sept. 28, 1955, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Colby.

Bernie was employed with the Phillips Fish Pole Factory in Unity and Park Falls, and Pathfinder Mobile Homes in Spencer. He also worked as a farm hand for William "Bud" Schultz in the town of Brighton for 30 years. Bernie enjoyed woodworking crafts for his family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting elk with his son in Colorado. Bernie enjoyed western movies featuring his hero, John Wayne.

He was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the Unity American Legion, a member of the Unity Volunteer Fire Department and had served as chief, and the Unity Commercial Club where he helped organize the horse pull event and served as president.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 52 years, Emily Raczykowski of Abbotsford; his children, Wanita (Tom) Kliner of Marshfield, Sheila (Christopher) Sautner of Spencer, and Michael (fiancée Michele Wilson) Raczykowski of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 14 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Florence (Lloyd) Marier of Pine City, Minn., and Frances (Robert) Bradway of Spooner.

He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings.

A memorial will be established for Bernard at a later date.