Obit: Raczykowski, Bernard #3 (1931 - 2007)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

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

----Sources: Loyal TRG 05 September 2007

Raczykowski, Bernard #3 (14 JUL 1931 - 30 AUG 2007)

Bernard Raczykowski, 76, Abbotsford, died on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Abbotsford, Wis. The Rev. Ben Franklin officiated. Burial was in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Colby, with full military rites by the Unity American Legion Post. Pallbearers were Tim Kliner, Jeff Kliner, Brandon Kliner, Chris Raczykowski, Jesse Raczykowski, and Justin Steele. Honorary pallbearer was Jonathon Reedy.

Bernard Raczykowski was born on July 14, 1931, in Hayward, Sawyer County, to Joseph and Hattie (nee Kajden) Raczykowski. He moved with his family to Greenwood, and then later to the family farm in the town of Brighton near Unity. He joined the U. S. Marines in 1952 and was later discharged. He married Emily Smudde on Sept. 28, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Colby. He 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. He enjoyed woodworking crafting for his family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting elk with his son in Colorado. He enjoyed western movies with 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.

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

Preceding him in death were his parents; and six siblings.

A memorial will be established in his name at a later date.

Maurina/Community Funeral Home, Abbotsford, assisted the family with arrangements.