Kamilla K. "Kay" Rackow, 82, of Monroe, WI, formerly of Lena, IL, was called to live in eternal glory with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at Monroe Clinic Hospital in Monroe, Wisconsin.
She was born March 12, 1927, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Charles & Geneva (Harris) Knapp. Her family moved to Scales Mound, Illinois and later to Farley, Iowa where she grew up. She married Charles Petersen on December 31, 1947. Charles and Kamilla were blessed with two children, Randy and Jane. They later divorced. She moved to Lena in 1957 and married Milo Rackow on June 5th, 1962, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua, Iowa. Milo and Kamilla were blessed with one child, David.
Kamilla graduated from Farley High School in 1943, and received her teaching degree from Iowa State Teachers' College in Cedar Falls in 1945. She continued her higher education at University of Dubuque and in May, 1976, she received her Master's degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She taught school in Buffalo, LaPorte City, and Monmouth, Iowa; and in Lena, McConnell, and Orangeville, Illinois. After retiring from teaching in 1985, she worked part-time in Freeport doing secretarial work at several churches, the Stephenson County Senior Center, and at Freeport Memorial Hospital.
Kay loved her family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and socializing with friends. She especially enjoyed traveling and attending several First Marine Division Association reunions with Milo. She was faithful to her Lord and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Lena, where she taught Sunday school, Confirmation Class, and was active in the adult Bible classes, Ladies' Aid, and altar guild.
She was a very loving and caring mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be sadly missed by her three children: Randy Petersen of Phoenix, AZ; Jane (Randall) Patterson of Monroe, WI; and David (Ann) Rackow of Williamsburg, IA; seven grandchildren: Jason (Shelby) Patterson of San Diego, CA; Karessa (Travis Hawkins) Patterson of Brodhead, WI; Lucas (Brittany Lean) Patterson of Monroe; Aaron (Nikki) Petersen of Virginia Beach, VA; and Amber, Natasha, and Jesse Bruer (Rackow), of Williamsburg, IA; and five great-grandchildren: Trayton, Lauryl, Matthew, Natalie, and Taiya.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Milo, on 8-20-2007.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Leamon's Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, both in Lena. Celebration of Life Services will be held following Saturday's visitation at 10 a.m. at St. John's. Rev. Rick Bader will officiate the service. Immediately following the service, she will be laid to rest at Richland-Salem Lutheran Cemetery near McConnell, Illinois. A luncheon at the church will follow the committal service. A memorial fund has been established in her name. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com
She was born March 12, 1927, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Charles & Geneva (Harris) Knapp. Her family moved to Scales Mound, Illinois and later to Farley, Iowa where she grew up. She married Charles Petersen on December 31, 1947. Charles and Kamilla were blessed with two children, Randy and Jane. They later divorced. She moved to Lena in 1957 and married Milo Rackow on June 5th, 1962, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua, Iowa. Milo and Kamilla were blessed with one child, David.
Kamilla graduated from Farley High School in 1943, and received her teaching degree from Iowa State Teachers' College in Cedar Falls in 1945. She continued her higher education at University of Dubuque and in May, 1976, she received her Master's degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She taught school in Buffalo, LaPorte City, and Monmouth, Iowa; and in Lena, McConnell, and Orangeville, Illinois. After retiring from teaching in 1985, she worked part-time in Freeport doing secretarial work at several churches, the Stephenson County Senior Center, and at Freeport Memorial Hospital.
Kay loved her family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and socializing with friends. She especially enjoyed traveling and attending several First Marine Division Association reunions with Milo. She was faithful to her Lord and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Lena, where she taught Sunday school, Confirmation Class, and was active in the adult Bible classes, Ladies' Aid, and altar guild.
She was a very loving and caring mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be sadly missed by her three children: Randy Petersen of Phoenix, AZ; Jane (Randall) Patterson of Monroe, WI; and David (Ann) Rackow of Williamsburg, IA; seven grandchildren: Jason (Shelby) Patterson of San Diego, CA; Karessa (Travis Hawkins) Patterson of Brodhead, WI; Lucas (Brittany Lean) Patterson of Monroe; Aaron (Nikki) Petersen of Virginia Beach, VA; and Amber, Natasha, and Jesse Bruer (Rackow), of Williamsburg, IA; and five great-grandchildren: Trayton, Lauryl, Matthew, Natalie, and Taiya.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Milo, on 8-20-2007.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Leamon's Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, both in Lena. Celebration of Life Services will be held following Saturday's visitation at 10 a.m. at St. John's. Rev. Rick Bader will officiate the service. Immediately following the service, she will be laid to rest at Richland-Salem Lutheran Cemetery near McConnell, Illinois. A luncheon at the church will follow the committal service. A memorial fund has been established in her name. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com