In Memory> Bill Rakow

Passed away october 7th 2016

Born July 29, 1951

William "Bill" E. Rakow, 65, resident of Merrifield, passed away on Friday, October 7, 2016 at University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis. Bill was born July 29, 1951 in Brainerd to Wayne and Shirley (Tomberlin) Rakow.

He graduated from Brainerd High School class of 1969. On February 16, 1973 Bill married the love of his life Kathleen Franzen in Sisseton, South Dakota. During their marriage together, Bill and Kathy were blessed with 3 wonderful children, Joseph William, Amy Patricia and Katie Beth. Bill worked for Potlatch for 23 years.

Bill enjoyed family camping trips, swimming in the lake and fishing with his wife and kids. Bill loved airplanes and had a hobby of collecting and building model planes. Later in his life, Bill and Kathy were blessed with grandchildren and so many fun and wonderful memories were made.

Bill will be sadly missed by his parents, Wayne (Marie) Rakow and Shirley Flicek (mother); his wife, Kathy Rakow, children, Joseph Rakow, Amy Rakow and Katie (Jeremy) Turner; grandchildren, Chris, Paris, Shaely, Joe Jr., Joshua, Mya, William, Emily, Thomas, Isaiah, Jack Edward, Kaitlyn, and Gemma; special fur baby, Smokey the cat; brother, Bob (Alisa) Rakow; sister, Robin (Daryl) Kaikkonen; many nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law.

Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Edward and Ella Tomberlin and step-dad, Fred Flicek; paternal grandparents, William and Louise Rakow, and his father-in-law, Gust Franzen and brother-in-law, David Franzen.

Services will be held 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016 at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd with Pastor Chris Erickson officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Lunch to follow at the Eagles Club. Arrangements are with Nelson-Doran Funeral Home.