Obit: Raczykowski, Bernard #2 (1931 - 2007)

Contact: R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bradway, Franklin, Kajden, Kliner, Marier, Raczykowski, Reedy, Sautner, Schultz, Smudde, Steele

----Sources: The Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark County, Wis.) Vol. 47, No. 36, Wed., Sep 5, 2007, p. 8

Raczykowski, Bernard (14 July 1931 - 20 Aug. 2007)

Bernard Raczykowski, 76, Abbotsford, died Thursday, August 30th, 2007, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Funeral services were held September 4th at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Abbotsford, Wis. Burial was in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Colby with full military rites by the Unity American Legion Post. Father Ben Franklin presided.

Pallbearers were Tim, Jeff and Brandon Kliner, Chris and Jesse Raczykowski and Justin Steele. Honorary pallbearer was Jonathon Reedy.

Bernard was born July 14th 1931, in Hayward, 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 Brighton, Unity.

Bernard joined the US Marines in 1952 and was later discharged. He and Emily Smudde were married September 28th, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Colby.

He was employed with the Phillips Fish Pole Factory in Unity and Park Falls and also with Pathfinder Mobile Homes in Spencer. Bernard also worked as a farm hand for William (Bud) Schultz in the Town of Brighton for 30 years.

Bernard enjoyed woodworking, fishing and hunting Elk, a lifetime member of the Unity American Legion, a member of the Unity Volunteer Fire Department, serving as chief. He also was a member of the Unity Commercial Club where he helped organize the horse pull event and served as president.

He was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Abbotsford, Wis.

Bernard is survived by his wife, Emily Raczykowski, Abbotsford; his children, Wanita (Tom) Kliner, Marshfield, Sheila (Christopher) Sautner, Spencer, Michael Raczykowski, Colorado Springs, CO; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter (Diane) Raczykowski, Phillips; two sisters, Florence (Lloyd) Marier, Pine City, MN and Frances (Robert) Bradway, Spooner.

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

A memorial will be established at a later date.

Maurina-Community Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.