Ronald Rakowski

Ronald B. Rakowski, 67, of Markesan, WI (formerly Hampshire, IL) passed away suddenly on March 25, 2023 at home. Born on November 17, 1955 to James and Berneice Rakowski in Elgin, Illinois. Ron graduated from Burlington Central High School in 1973. In 1975 Ron married the love of his life, Cindy (Allen) Rakowski. Ron spent over 41 years in the trucking business delivering milk, freight, and construction materials driving more than one million miles throughout his career. Upon retiring from the trucking business, Ron transitioned into one of his most favorite jobs, driving a school bus. He loved going to work every day and hearing stories from the kids and seeing them every day. Ron made a lot of friends at the bus garage and always reminisced about the times spent with the drivers.  Ron enjoyed many things in life including hunting, fishing, boating, and playing with his grandsons and his grandpups. Ron loved to be outdoors and shooting his bow whenever he could, even being part of the Kishwaukee Archer’s Club for many years and being with lifelong friends. He loved driving his “buggy” around the property and spending every chance he could get with family. Ron and his wife, Cindy, were just getting ready to move into their custom-built lake house and start living their dream life on the lake.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cindy, his daughter Becky (Eric) Rocha, his son Andy (Brittany) Rakowski, grandsons Aidan and Hunter Rakowski, his sisters Joy Baumgartner, Jan (Larry) Herrmann, Dianne Zimmerman, brother Randy (Sharon) Rakowski and many nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, James and Berniece Rakowski, his brother James Rakowski, Jr., his in-laws Miles and Anna Allen and his brother-in-law Timothy Allen. A celebration of life for Ron will be held Thursday, March 30, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran church in Burlington (13N535 French Rd, Burlington, IL 60109) from 2-5pm with a luncheon to follow. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com