Elwin L. Rackow, 88 of Monroe, died on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017 at Caring Hands in Brodhead. Elwin was born on Dec. 18, 1928 in Winslow, Ill., the son of Lester and Mabel (Smith) Rackow. He married Verla Goeke on Dec. 1, 1956 at St. Paul Church in Davis, Ill. Elwin worked for Roy's Dairy for several years and farmed in the Davis, Ill. and Juda, Wis. areas from 1958 until 2000. Following his retirement, he worked for Rackow Family Sausage. He was a member of the Monroe Moose Lodge #754 and enjoyed woodworking and playing cards.
Elwin is survived by his wife, Verla Rackow of Monroe; four children, Eugene of Lockport, Ill., Les of Brodhead, Jim of Juda, and Theresa (Andy) Watrud of Dodgeville; nine grandchildren, Amy, Jillian, Timothy, Cody, Jeff, Jessica, Joe, Elizabeth, and Seth; five great grandchildren; a brother, Duane Rackow of Monroe; three sisters, Marian Rufer of Monroe, Margaret Marquis of Madison, Betty Rackow of Monroe; and a sister-in-law, Sonja Rackow of Monroe. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Melissa Rackow; two brothers, Robert and Leland; two brothers-in-law, Lloyd Rufer and Philip Marquis; and a sister-in-law, Annette Rackow.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at 11:30 a.m., at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday, Oct. 6, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund will be established in Elwin's name. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
Elwin is survived by his wife, Verla Rackow of Monroe; four children, Eugene of Lockport, Ill., Les of Brodhead, Jim of Juda, and Theresa (Andy) Watrud of Dodgeville; nine grandchildren, Amy, Jillian, Timothy, Cody, Jeff, Jessica, Joe, Elizabeth, and Seth; five great grandchildren; a brother, Duane Rackow of Monroe; three sisters, Marian Rufer of Monroe, Margaret Marquis of Madison, Betty Rackow of Monroe; and a sister-in-law, Sonja Rackow of Monroe. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Melissa Rackow; two brothers, Robert and Leland; two brothers-in-law, Lloyd Rufer and Philip Marquis; and a sister-in-law, Annette Rackow.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at 11:30 a.m., at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday, Oct. 6, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund will be established in Elwin's name. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.