Charles “Chuck” Rakebrand, 80, of Salem, Wisconsin, passed away May 14, 2023, at the Hospice Alliance Hospice House after a serious battle with illness. He was born in Illinois to Carl and Catherine (Thirion) Rakebrand on December 7, 1942.
Chuck enlisted in the United States Army directly out of high school, where he achieved the rank of Seargeant First Class. He served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and remained in the Army until his retirement.
Many people described Chuck as quite a character. He was a man of few words, and those few words often included quips and wisecracks that brought out his dry sense of humor. He was a generous man, who would give anyone the shirt off his back and took wonderful care of his family. Chuck enjoyed spending time with his wife, his great-grandchildren, his dogs and being at social gatherings with friends.
Chuck is survived by his wife Dorene (Bieniek) Rakebrand of Salem, WI, his sister Ellen (Rakebrand) Persil of Fairfield Glade, TN, brother-in-law Ken (Jackie) Thomas of Antioch, IL, daughter Dorsie (Daryl) Stanley of Twin Lakes, WI, daughter Cheryl (Jason) Barney of Lockport, IL, nephew Christopher (Charity) Persil of South Beloit, IL, nephew Adam (Catherine) Persil of Carpentersville, IL, sisters-in-law Dayle Donegan of Corona, CA, and Debbie (Mike) Micca of Spring Hill, TN, niece Dianne (Tom) Householder of Corona, CA, grandchildren Christopher and Josh Hubbard of Twin Lakes, WI, Ein and Paige Barney of Lockport, IL and great-grandchildren Rowan and Cameron Hubbard of Twin Lakes, WI, who loving called him “Papa Fudge”; as well as many extended family and friends.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Catherine Rakebrand, his brother-in-law Charles Persil and his in-laws Louis and Dorothy Bieniek.
Chuck’s family is forever grateful for all the love and support and would like to honorably mention their Salem, WI neighborhood friends Jeff and Kristin Dittmer, Jim and Nancy Lambert and Joe Connelly for their amazing help and caring for Chuck and Dorene, especially near the end of Chuck’s life.
A Military Funeral Honors service will be held at Legion Park at 989 Legion Dr., Twin Lakes, WI on Saturday, May 20th at 2:00 PM prompt, to pay tribute for his faithfully defending and serving our country. Please bring your camping chairs. The family welcomes anyone to say some words at the service. After the service, the family would like to invite friends and family to stay at the Legion Hall and park for food, drink, and fellowship to celebrate the life of Charles Rakebrand.
The online obituary is at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com. Our sincerest thank you to Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory of Twin Lakes, WI for completing the arrangements, and to the staff at Hospice Alliance and Aurora Medical Center Kenosha.
