Elmer J. Rakotz

The Mass of Christian Burial, celebrating the life of Elmer J. Rakotz, age 77 of Sartell, will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 28 at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Burial with full military honors will be in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in St. Joseph. Elmer died Saturday at the St. Cloud Hospital. There will be a visitation from 4-8:00 PM Friday and again after 9:30 AM Saturday at the church in Albany. Seven Dolors parish prayers will be at 4:00 PM Friday at the church. Arrangements are being made by the Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes.
Elmer was born August 2, 1938 in Freeport to Joseph and Walburga (Bueckers) Rakotz. He graduated from high school and served in the U.S. Army from 1956 until he was honorably discharged in 1959. Elmer married Jane Steinhofer on June 25, 1964 in Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Elmer worked at Smurfit Stone Container for 40 years until he retired in March 1, 2001. He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the St. Joseph’s Lions, Life member of the St. Joseph American Legion Post 0328, Life member of the Sauk Rapids VFW Post, 6992, he was a St. Joseph Police Reserve for 20 years and he was on the St. Joseph Fire Department for 20 years.
Elmer is survived by his fiancée, Donna Hoskins, Sartell; his children, Greg (Anita) Rakotz, St. Joseph and Sheri (Chad Schmidt) Thill, Albany. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Geraldine (Tony) Lenneman, Albany; sister, Irene (Elgin) Derichs, Sioux City, IA and brothers, Marvin (Donna Mae) Rakotz, St. James and Richard Rakotz, Albany. He is also survived by 4 grandsons, Nick, Tanner, Derek, and Dominick.
Elmer is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jane in 2003, his brothers, Joseph Rakotz, Jr., Robert Rakotz and Norbert Rakotz.