Obituary of Reinhard A. Draeger

Reinhard A. Draeger “Reiny” age 88, of Marathon, passed away Friday January 4, 2014 with his loving wife, all of his children, many grandchildren and other family members at his side. He was born November 29, 1925 in Edgar, son of the late Reinhardt and Clara (Laumer) Draeger. Reiny proudly volunteered to serve in the United States Army in 1951 where he fought in the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1953. On May 20th of that same year, he married the love of his life Marion Stack, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stratford, daughter of the late Anthony and Cherubim (Carrie) Stack. Reiny worked at Marathon Electric before owning and operating a dairy farm with his wife until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon, a VFW member Post 388, Wausau and a member of the American Legion Post 469, Marathon. He loved the outdoors, fishing, traveling the United States, polkas, playing the harmonica and going to country music shows with his wife. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Marion Draeger, Marathon, eleven children; Judy (John) Hummer, Edgar; Wayne Draeger (significant other Jenifer Wilhelm), Weston; Karen Draeger, Mosinee; Alan Draeger (significant other Tina Wiesneski), Edgar; Donna Nahring, Edgar; James (Sandy) Draeger, Marathon; June (Dennis) Bornheimer, Athens; Dennis (JoAnn) Draeger, Marathon; Susan (Carl) Yessa, Edgar; Larry Draeger, Marathon; Bonnie (Bruce) Jahnke, Marathon. Twenty-seven grandchildren; Nathan (Hilary), Karie and Kevin Hummer; Christopher, Joshua and Cody Draeger, Christy (Jason) Volm; Kelly (Bryan) Kloos, Russell (Danielle) and Jacob Griesmer, Leah (Joshua) Krzanowski; Jeremy (Melinda), Tyler (Janalee) and Eric Nahring; Heidi (Aaron) Gauerke, Thomas “TJ”, Teanna and Kylie Draeger; Jennifer (Marcus) Narvaez, Ashley (Jesse) Meyer; Mitchell and Stephanie Draeger; Holli (Nathan) Soczka, Brooke Yessa; Nicolas Draeger; Bria and Brett Jahnke, and twenty great-grandchildren with more on the way. One brother, George (Dolores) Draeger, Marshfield; one sister, Ella (Alvin) Kufahl, Wausau; one step-sister, Uldene “Tootie” Jablonski, Wausau andmany nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Besides his parents Reiny was preceded in death by his step-father Paul Grosskreutz, one sister Leona and her husband Melvin Hoffmann, brother-in-law Alvin Kufahl, sister-in-law Dolores Draeger, three step-brothers Kenneth, Darrell and Eugene Grosskreutz, two step-sisters Leone "Lee" Bodwin and Diane Eckert. Services will be held at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary “St Mary’s Catholic Church”, Marathon. Visitation will be Thursday, January 9, 2014 at the church in Marathon from 4pm until 7pm and again on Friday, January 10th at the church from 10am until 12:00 noon. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow with Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier officiating. Burial will take place in Edgar Cemetery with full military honors conducted. Arrangements are entrusted to Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer, phone 715 659-4545. Visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.