Herman A. Raatz

April 5, 1927 - October 21, 2021

Herman August Raatz was called home and found peace with the Lord on Thursday Oct. 21, 2021. He was born on the farm in Richford, WI to Robert A. and Mable A. (Schluter) Raatz on April 5, 1927. Herman was baptized May 5, 1927 and confirmed April 18, 1943 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wautoma. Herman was one of 11 children and upon losing both parents in his youth, his older sister Dora stepped in to keep him and his 5 younger siblings together as a family where she taught him Christian principles. There was no shortage of hard work on the farm but he often said those were tough but good years. After attending Wautoma High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II. one month after his 18th birthday, serving at the Great Lakes Training Center as a printer. Returning from military service, he lived in Oshkosh with his sister Alice and her family, working at Rockwell for 40 years. On July 9, 1955, he married Virginia (Gena) Sobojinski in Wisconsin Dells. They celebrated over 50 years of marriage until Gena’s passing in 2012. During his working career, Herman was a faithful member of First English Lutheran Church, ushering for 54 years. He found time to bowl on several leagues, lastly at Shoreview Friday Senior League, enjoyed hunting and casino trips, was a long-time volunteer and life member of the AmVets Post 7, selling clovers and working the AmVets beer tent at Sawdust Days. One of his AmVets friends said he was a good man and an awesome person who marched to his own drum. In-between he always found time to help relatives. In retirement, he found another calling — working auctions with Don Wagner. His loving “auction family,” Don (Darlene) Wagner, and children Steve (Amy) Wagner and Lisa (Chris) Kurczek were a blessing to him and Gena, sharing many good times and for sure, a few beers. Preceding Herman in death were his wife Virginia, infant son and all 10 siblings — Ruby Soberiski, Alice (Ray) Patten, Dora (Harold) Wedde, Harvey (Shirley) Raatz, Edna (Pete) Peterson, Carl (Eleanor) Raatz, Robert (Millie) Raatz, Margaret (Wallace) Schlagel, Donald Evans and Shirley (Eldon) Turner. He is survived by many nieces and nephews who mourn his passing. Funeral services for Herman will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28th at First English Lutheran Church, 1013 Minnesota St., Oshkosh, with visitation at 10:00 a.m., military honor guard and service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tim Greenwald officiating. Committal at 1:30 at Lake View Memorial Park, 2786 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers, memorials to First English Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice in honor of Herman are appreciated.