Lucy Corey-Rajek

Lucy Corey-Rajek 90, peacefully entered eternal life on Saturday, April 30, 2005 at Colonial Manor Medical & Rehabilitation Center, Wausau. Lucy resided at Colonial Manor for 3 A½ years, where her life was enriched by the loving care of professional staff. During her stay at Colonial Manor, Lucy and her family were very appreciative of the many cards, letters, visits and prayers from her friends in Marathon. She was born January 29, 1915 in Athens, daughter of the late Andrew and Frances (Pepowski) Kulas. On November 25, 1937, she married Irwin J. Corey. They were married for nearly fifty years until his death on May 27, 1987. She then married Harry Rajek on June 23, 1990 in Marathon and enjoyed eight years of marriage until his death on August 9, 1998. Lucy's primary role was that of mother and homemaker. She loved her family and home in Marathon. During her child rearing years, she strongly encouraged her children's academic achievements, always prompting them to study hard and achieve their full potential. She also enjoyed her large flower and vegetable gardens and making homemade bread and desserts for her growing family. She also enjoyed quilting and playing cards with her friends and relatives. She also delighted in reading the local newspapers from "cover to cover." Because she was unable to attend college due to the Great Depression, Lucy had a passion for higher education. She strongly encouraged her children and grandchildren to attend college. She made many personal sacrifices so that she and her husband could help finance their education. Lucy thoroughly enjoyed her fifty year involvement with the National Catholic Society of Foresters, serving as an officer and national convention delegate. She also loved her fifty years of membership in the Hillcrest Homemakers Club during which time she made close friends and learned about the art of homemaking. She also cherished her volunteer work at St. Mary Church and St. Anthony Retreat Center. Those who knew Lucy will remember her as a loving mother, faithful friend, great mother-in-law, and sister-in-law and loving grandma. Survivors include four daughters, Susan (Fred) Krueger, Shawano, Sally (Ronald) Schroeder, Wisconsin Rapids, Mary (Lon) Roberts, Wausau and Monica (Charles) Schreiner, Wausau; one son, John (Kathie) Corey, Beaver Dam; 11 grandchildren, Corey, Rick, Hans, Karen, Sara, Anna, Zach, Elizabeth, Evan, Steve, and Emily; her sister, Leona (David) Braun, sisters-in-law, Verna Kulas and Marian Corey. Besides her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Ed, Louis and John Kulas. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Noon Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again from 11:00 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church or School or St. Anthony Retreat Center all of Marathon. A Mother like ours is more than a memory... she is a living presence. Mom, we will miss you dearly. Online condolences at www.peterson/kraemer.com