William R. Rajek

William (Bill) Rajek, 58, of Wausau, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Ministry St. Clare's Hospital surrounded by family after a courageous two year battle with multiple myeloma. He was born July 23, 1957 in Wausau to Raymond and Angeline (Lang) Rajek. At an early age, athletics became an important part of Bill's life. He was a member of the baseball team and the 3-time state champion basketball team at Marathon High. Bill was passionate for the game of golf, which he played avidly from a young age. He shared his love of athletics with many others, coaching several youth sports throughout his children's lives. Bill also enjoyed playing and officiating at the local Gus Macker tournament each year, and had a true love of the Green Bay Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. On September 22, 2001 he married Lisa Thomas. Together, they shared their home in Wausau with their dogs Cooper and Harvey. Bill enjoyed working on the house and yard in his free time. Bill was proud of his 26 years of work at Wipfli, and later Eastbay and Wausau Tile. He is survived by his wife Lisa, three children, Emily (Derek Picerne) Rajek, Huntington Beach, California, Andrew (Nicole Meier) Rajek, Milwaukee, Evan (Emily Koehler) Thomas, Madison; his mother, Angeline Rajek, Marathon, brother, Kenneth (Mary) Rajek, Rothschild, brother, Robert (Louise) Rajek, Wausau, brother, David (Mary) Rajek, Marathon, sister, Susan (Rajek) Robl, West Bend, sister, Sally Rajek, Marathon, brother, Michael Rajek, Schofield; his mother-in-law, Marion Lenard, brother-in-law, Jeff (Kathy) Lenard, sister-in-law, Judy (Dennis) Augustine and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill was a godfather to his niece, Lindsey Payne, Blairsville, Georgia and his nephew, Greg Robl, Cedarburg. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Rajek, his father-in-law, Joseph Lenard, and his brother-in-law, Ken Robl. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Friends may call on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. The family wishes to extend a thank you to Dr. Rezwan Islam, Christine Block, and the staff at Marshfield Clinic and Dr. Parameswaran Hari and the staff at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin for the wonderful care and support given to Bill and his family. Special thanks to his family and friends for all the assistance and kindness expressed to us throughout his illness, especially his sister, Sally who was his bone marrow donor, his brothers, Dave and Bob along with their wives, Mary and Louise, and his daughter, Emily for their dedication to Bill over the past two years and Fr. Joseph Diermeier for his prayers and kindness. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Bill's name. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com