Judy Rataczak, wife of NWA Capt. Bill Rataczak

 

…..from the retired Northwest pilots group…..

~ IN MEMORY ~

Judy Rataczak, wife of NWA Capt. Bill Rataczak

August 8, 1940 ~ November 19, 2022

 

Friends and Colleagues,  

I regret to inform you that Judith Rataczak, wife of NWA Captain Bill

Rataczak died in her sleep on November 19th. A visitation and memorial

service is planned this Friday and Saturday. Please view the times and

dates in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune obituary attached below.

 Our condolences go to Bill and his extended family.

 Bill Day

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Obituary : Judith (Burgess) Rataczak  

https://www.dingmannfuneral.com/obituary/Judith-Rataczak  

 https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000442567/?fullname=judith-(burgess)-rataczak

Rataczak, Judith (Burgess) 82, of South Haven, died peacefully in her sleep

on Saturday, November 19th. She was born on August 8, 1940, in Austin, MN,

to Donald and Katie (Hanson) Burgess. After graduating from Austin High

School in 1958, Judy moved to Minneapolis to study nursing at St. Barnabas,

where she graduated with a nursing diploma in 1961. Nursing was one of

Judy's great passions, and she was a gifted nurse to all her patients; she

passed on this love of nursing to her daughter, daughter-in-law, and

granddaughter. Judy married William Rataczak in 1962, and the couple settled

in Minneapolis. In 1974, Judy and Bill moved to Lake Sylvia, outside South

Haven, where they raised their family. Over the ensuing decades, Judy

continued to build out a full and rich life. She was deeply involved in her

church, St. John's Episcopal Church in Saint Cloud; became a gifted quilter

and treasured her time with her beloved quilt group, the Rubys; remained

strongly connected with her Austin family, whom she loved dearly; traveled

the world with her husband; and, beginning in 1996, welcomed a succession of

grandchildren, who were preeminent joys in her life. Judy was also an avid

reader who loved her monthly book group gatherings, and passed on to her

children and grandchildren a love of continual learning. Judy showed up for

all the people she loved, with a listening ear, a warm hug, and a loving

presence. She set an example to all who knew her for the value she placed on

investing in a community of family and friends. As with any full and vibrant

life, Judy's was not without its hardships. These were greeted with

unwavering faith, quiet bravery, and a fierce determination to live fully in

the face of those challenges. This is a legacy she leaves with all who were

witness to her authentic and faithful life. Judy is survived by her husband,

William Rataczak; son, Michael Rataczak; son and daughter-in-law, James and

Joan Rataczak; daughter, Sarah Rataczak; and beloved grandchildren, Natalie,

Jens, Eric, Jack, Grace, Leo, Max, and Henry; brother and sister-in-law,

Donald and Sharon Burgess; sister, Colleen Wakeman; and numerous nieces and

nephews. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 pm on Friday, November 25, 2022,

at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale. Funeral services will be held

11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 26, at St. John's Episcopal Church in St.

Cloud. A reception will follow in the church hall. Burial will be at a later

date at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. The family asks that any memorial

donations be made in Judy's memory to St. John's Episcopal Church in St.

Cloud. Masks are not required, but strongly encouraged to protect the

vulnerable.

https://www.dingmannfuneral.com/obituary/Judith-Rataczak