April 27, 1915 – Sept. 2, 2010
 

Raymond A. Trakel of Waukesha passed away Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at Seasons Hospice.

Ray was born in Waukesha on April 27, 1915, the son of Arthur and Laura (Holt) Trakel.

Ray served during World War II in the U.S. Navy as an air combat intelligence officer. He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1933 and from Carroll College in 1937. He retired in 1978 from the Wisconsin Telephone Co., where he worked for 40 years as a rate and tariff administrator. Ray, along with his wife Betty, enjoyed 25 years of retirement in Fort Myers, Fla., before moving back to Wisconsin in 2004.

His interests included hunting, fishing, boating and spending many summers at Pewaukee Lake. Ray served on the Waukesha Board of Education from 1956 to 1971. He was a member of the Waukesha Elks Club, Toastmasters, Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Waukesha Council of PTA. He was a member of St. Matthias Church, where his services included Sunday school teacher, secretary and chairman of vestry.

Ray is survived by his wife of 74 years, Betty B. Trakel (Beasaw); children, Jane (Dave) Merryfield, Sue (Tom) Fischer and Barb (Dave) Strachota; grandchildren, Lisa Merryfield, David (Anne Rucker) Merryfield, Laura (Brian) Bures, Katie (Mike) Schmidt and Jenny Strachota; and great-grandchildren, Johanna, Bennett, Lauren and Benjamin. He is also survived by his sisters, Lois (John) Mielke, Laura (Frank) Hastings and Grace (Bob) Knox.

Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the 4 p.m. memorial service Thursday, Sept. 9, at Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha.

In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity in Raymond’s name are appreciated.

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family. For further information, please call 542-6609, or for directions, an online obituary or to leave a condolence, please visit www.waukeshasfuneralhome.com.