Kenneth Rajek

Kenneth Rajek, 68, Rothschild, died Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at his home, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. He was born July 14, 1949 in Wausau, son of Angeline (Lang) Rajek of Marathon and the late Raymond Rajek. On May 5, 1990, he married Mary (O'Connor) Dunaway at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. She survives. Ken was a 1967 graduate of Newman High School and furthered his education at North Central Technical College where he completed the Marketing Program in 1969. Throughout his life, he worked in marketing and sales for Wausau Homes, the Journal Sentinel, WRIG, was manager for Seehafer Broadcasting and retired from WSAW radio in January of 2013. For 22 years, Ken was a member of the Army National Guard in the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and served as 1st Sergeant with the 132nd Tank Batallion. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Department of Wisconsin, past member of the Wausau Noon Optimist Club, past member of Junior Achievement and member of the Wisconsin Valley Woodturners. In his younger years, Ken enjoyed deer hunting and most recently, his hobbies included woodworking, fishing and watching the Packers, Brewers and Badgers. Ken was a "Grill Master" and enjoyed watching cooking shows, experimenting with recipes from different restaurants and going out for a Friday night fish fry. Survivors include, his loving wife of 27 years, Mary Rajek, Wausau, his mother, Angeline Rajek, Marathon; two children, Wesley Rajek, Wausau and Lindsey (Eric) Payne, Missouri and their children Jack and Sophia; three step-children, Maureen Dunaway, Minnesota and her daughter, Aileen Nadeau, Brent (Nga) Dunaway, Minnestota and their children, Tu Linh Kieu and Nghia Linh Kieu, and Heather Dunaway, Oregon; five siblings, Bob (Louise) Rajek, Wausau, David (Mary) Rajek, Marathon, Susan Robl, West Bend, Sally Rajek, Marathon and Mike Rajek, Weston; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lisa Rajek, Wausau, Dennis (Pam) O'Connor, Maribel, Wis., Kathleen (Heidi) O'Connor, Washington, Elizabeth (Al) Burt, Virginia and Connie (John) O'Connor, Manitowoc; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Rajek; and brother-in-law, Ken Robl. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Allan L. Slowiak will preside. Full military honors will be conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post No. 388, Wausau. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, 520 North 32nd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com A special thanks to Bruce Grau and the staff of Aspirus Palliative Care and Hospice for their attentive care. Ken was very appreciative for all that you did for him.