Ronald N. Ratajczak, age 79, a Manitowoc resident, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2021 at his residence.
Ronald was born on August 5, 1941 in Kewaunee, WI, son of the late Nick Ratajczak and Verna Johnson. He attended grade school at Holy Rosary and then graduated from Kewaunee High School. Ronald Served in the U.S. Army from 1962-1968. On December 12, 1970 he married the former Mary Lou Wotruba in Manitowoc. She preceded him in death on September 19, 2018. Ronald worked for the Kohler Company as a die setter and lead man from 1968 until his retirement in 2005. He enjoyed fishing, traveling with the Budnik’s, deer hunting with his buddies, going to car shows, snowmobiling and enjoyed meeting friends at Van’s Bar on Tuesdays. Ronald especially enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews and all of his friends in the neighborhood.
Survivors include his two children: David (Lois) Ratajczak and Cindy Ratajczak; three granddaughters: Amanda Wilsing, Heather Nitsch, Jessica (Edward) Schmidt; three great-grandchildren: Harper, Hudson, Hazel; and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, and one great great great nephew; one brother-in-law: Elmer “Butch” Duenkel Jr, two sisters-in-law: Eunice Wotruba and Mary Ann Wotruba. Many friends and neighbors also survive. He was preceded in death by his wife: Mary Lou; his parents: Nick Ratajczak and Verna Johnson; one granddaughter: Samantha-Jo Wilsing two sisters-in-law: Margaret Duenkel, Kathleen Wotruba; and three brothers-in-law: Gerald (Betty) Wotruba, Gordon Wotruba and Fred “Fritz” Wotruba.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, 928 S. 14th Street, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be the Deacon Alan Boeldt with cremation to follow.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 3:00 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.pfefferfuneralhome.com.
The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
