Theodore 'Ted' Rawlinko

Theodore “Ted” Rawlinko, 87, left his earthly life on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, with his family by his side, to be reunited with his brothers and sister in Heaven – where life has no end.

Ted was born in Synewidsko Niece, Ukraine, on September 23, 1922, to the late Michael and Maria (nee: Zenko) Rawlinko. At the young age of 17, he escaped from the communist Soviet Union occupation of the Ukraine, the only one from his family who was ever able to taste the freedom of the United States. It broke his heart to leave his family – knowing he would never see them again. Although his heart was here in America, his soul remained in the Ukraine.

It was in Germany that Ted met and married Elisabeth Hena. They were married on August 19, 1950. Ted and Elisabeth came to the United States in 1951 and were proud members of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Milwaukee. Nobody worked harder than Ted. During his career, he was employed in the Belgium Coal Mines, worked for the railroad in Germany, Patrick Cudahy, Racine Steel Castings and Rainfair, from where he retired in 1985 after 33 years of service. Ted enjoyed dancing, playing the accordion, bike riding, playing cards and watching sports – especially the Brewers and Packers. Above all, Ted knew and treasured the true value of family and cherished every moment together with them.

Surviving are his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Elisabeth; their children, Steven (Carol) Rawlinko, Gregory Rawlinko and Rosemarie (Joel) Borgardt, all of Racine; adored grandchildren, Kyle Borgardt of Milwaukee and Allyson Borgardt of Racine; sister-in-law, Martha (Hans) Matzka of Germany; and many other dear relatives and friends, both in the United States and the Ukraine.

Funeral services will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, December 19, 2009, at 4 p.m. with Rev. Jeffrey M. Thielen officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. Private interment will take place in Graceland Cemetery. In memory of Ted, memorials to Racine Lutheran High School or to St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church of Milwaukee have been suggested.

A special thanks to Dr. Brennan, Dr. Dhingra, and the nursing staff at All Saints Dialysis – West for the compassionate care of Ted through seven years of dialysis. A heartfelt note of thanks to the cardiac ICU for the care and support of Ted during his final hours. May God bless all of you!

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory
4600 County Line Rd., Racine 262-552-9000