John Anthony ‘Butch’ Rackow
STURGEON BAY, Wis. — John Anthony “Butch” Rackow, 81, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2024, at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Center with his family by his side. He was born in Sturgeon Bay on November 22, 1942, to John F. and Mathilda T. (Vogel) Rackow. On August 6, 1966, he married Karen M. Sharkey in Spalding, Mich.
John worked as a teacher at Southern Door Middle School, teaching 30 plus years before proudly retiring in 1999. He had a love of sports including playing basketball in the city league and over 30 league, and his favorite pastime of spending every summer going to as many Brewer games as he could. He also was an avid collector of many things including stamps, coins, sports cards, and sports memorabilia. In his spare time he loved to watch old western films and was a foodie, enjoying the best restaurants he could find on every vacation. Most of all, though, John adored his grandchildren greatly and his world revolved around his love for the entire family!
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Melissa (Steve) Kugel, Sturgeon Bay; three grandchildren, Nicole (Dave) Paschke, Kiala Kugel, Garrett Kugel; two great-grandchildren, Brynlee and Braelyn Paschke; sister, Barbara (William) Schumacher and family, Green Bay; as well as his brother-in-law, Dale (Nancy) Sharkey and family, Peshtigo, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Ron and Mary Sharkey; and brothers-in-law, Bill Schumacher Sr., and Don Sharkey.
A memorial service will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, at the Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Visitation will be from 3:30 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home on Tuesday. Burial will be in Spalding Township Cemetery in Michigan. Online condolences may be offered at forbesfuneralhome.com
Special thanks to the staff at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Center who were a great support to John and his family.