George Edward Rykal

George E. Rykal, 85, passed away comfortably at his home at Fountain Hills Apartments on March 24, 2012.

George was born in Goetz, WI, to Charles and Anna (nee: Burich) Rykal on April 28, 1926. He graduated from Cadott High School in the class of 1945. From August 19, 1952, thru August 18, 1954, George proudly served in the United States Army as a Supply Sergeant in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. During this time on July 21, 1953, he married Ruth Martha Zenner at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Sturtevant.  Ruth also preceded him in death from cancer on October 31, 1975.  George and Ruth had three children: Diane Ruth, Dennis Edward and Sue Ann.

In Racine at Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, George was united in marriage to Donna Mae (nee: Mueller) Klaus on November 30, 1979. He worked 30 years for Advanced Mechanical as a Journeyman Plumber and was a member of Local #118. He retired in 1988.

George was a member of Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church in which he served as an Usher for many years. He was a very proud Bohemian. He enjoyed making his favorite caraway kraut and loved to cook out. George also enjoyed tending to his beautiful roses and raising vegetables “out on Jeff’s farm.” On television, he always had a good western to view. George loved his Poker Club on Monday evenings until approximately three weeks ago.

George will be dearly missed by his wife, Donna Mae; his children, Diane (Tom) Zacharias, Dennis Rykal and Sue (Owen) McKivitt; his step-children, Jeffrey (Susan) Klaus and Lynda (Jeffrey) Berard; his grandchildren, Sara (Ryan) Tennessen, Laura Creuziger, Jessica (Rob) Kinsley, Donovan McKivett, Joe (Christina) Klaus, Jessica (John) Ward, Trevor Berard, Krysta (Mohamud) Abdi and Rebecca Berard; his great-grandchildren, Addyson Berard, Jocelynn Ward, Morgan Tennessen and two more “on the way”; his brothers, Charles Jr. (Katie) Rykal and Lyle (Anna Mae) Rykal; his sisters, Dorothy VoWinkel and Donna (Gerald) Aubart; sisters-in-law, Shirley Zenner, Ann Felton, Carole (Arnold) Fickau and Nancy (Peter) McGow; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends and neighbors at Fountain Hills, which George and his wife, Donna, called home for over 10 years. He was further preceded in death by an infant brother, Donald Rykal, in 1934.

A memorial celebration will be held at Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, 1700 S. Green Bay Road, on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Kara Baylor officiating. Inurnment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park Chapel with full military honors. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. service time. Memorials may be directed to Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church.

The family appreciates the care and concern of Dr. Mathew Pothen, Dr. Ranga Sriram, Hospice Alliance, Home Linc, Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church and the staff and neighbors at Fountain Hills Apartments.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine   262-634-3361