Lyle Rajek

Lyle "Jim" J. Rajek, age 85, will be spending Christmas in heaven this year. He passed away on Monday, December 7, 2015 at the Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, WI. He was born on December 18, 1929 to the late John "Ernest" and Alice (Bessey) Rajek in the town of Schley. Jim grew up working on the family dairy farm, before he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He proudly served his country for the U.S. Army for 3 years while being stationed in Germany. He met and fell in love with Ruth "Jean" Maluegge and the two exchanged vows on September 29, 1956 in Merrill, WI. She survives. He then went on to work at Ward Paper for the next 34 ½ years. Jim was a very talented man and learned how to be an electrician. He worked at Gruett's Appliances, where he would install appliances for people. He was also a very good carpenter; he liked all aspects of building a home. Jim was able to do everything from roofing the home to wiring it for electricity. He enjoyed his work so much, that he eventually had his own business working as an electrician. When Jim was not working, he would enjoy camping trips with Jean and the girls, spending time fishing and water-skiing. Jim loved to fish and went to Minocqua on fishing trips when he was able. Along with enjoying life around home, Jim also enjoyed traveling abroad. He traveled to Germany, Jerusalem, Mexico, Hawaii, Maine and Branson, TN. Jim would take in a game of pool every now and again, and was very good at it. He also loved baseball and even played on the Doering Baseball Team. In his later years, Jim enjoyed playing cards and cribbage at friends' houses every Friday night with his wife, Jean. He looked forward to that. He also worked on puzzles, and has some framed in his home. Along with puzzles, Jim would also work on word searches, while watching his favorite cartoons on the television, they made him laugh! His favorite season was Christmas, he loved the Christmas music and the joy that Christmas brought to everyone. Jim was a member of the Men's Club and a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill, where he was very involved. He was a very well-liked and well-known man. Jim had a great sense of humor and liked to crack a joke here and there. He was always happy and enjoyed making people laugh. He will be sadly missed. Jim is survived by his wife: Ruth "Jean" Rajek of Merrill, his daughters: Roxanne (Randy) Burrows of Merrill and Sheryl (Randy) Niewolny of Merrill, grandson: Joshua (Jody Mae) Burrows of Wausau, granddaughter: Heidi (Chris) Robinson of Wausau, step grandchildren: Jeremy (Tamara) Niewolny, Tara (Jeremy) Smith and Nicole (Travis) Benaszeski, great granddaughters: Elsie and Maggie Mae Burrows, step great grandchildren: Austin Widner, Zachary and Micah Niewolny, Olivia and Reagan Smith and Evolette Benaszeski He is preceded in death by his parents: John "Ernest" and Alice Rajek, brothers: Raymond Rajek, Leslie Rajek, Alfred Rajek and Harold Rajek, sisters: Marie Schmirler, Isabelle Benzinger, Dorothy Olson and Lila Frick. Funeral Services for Jim will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 12 noon at the Trinity Church in Merrill. Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 9:30 am until the time of the service, also at the church. Military honors will be performed by VFW Post #1638 immediately following the service at the church. Entombment will take place at Merrill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, family requests that any donations be directed towards the Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.

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Visitation
Friday, December 11, 2015
Visitation
Friday, December 11, 2015

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