Obituary for Ewald Justin Rakowitz
In 1932, Ewald Justin Rakowitz came into this world at the Rakowitz family farm in New Berlin, Texas.
The blue-eyed Halloween born baby was welcomed by his parents Josephine (Skryzcki) Rakowitz & Kleofas Rakowitz as well as older sister Helen (Rakowitz) Lynch. Young Ewald lost his father when he was only 14 months old to a hunting accident. Years later, when Josephine married Joe Gutz, Ewald would become step-brother to Joe’s children. He would also go onto to be half-brother to a new sister, Irene (Gutz) Kappmeyer. At age 19, Ewald became a husband as he married his young sweetheart Lulabelle Jane Warncke on Sept 13 1952 at Annunciation Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church of St. Hedwig. Bound by faith and devoted to each other, they would go onto celebrate 70 plus years of marriage. Ewald enlisted in the Marine Corps & was stationed for a time at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Ewald was honorably discharged but not before receiving the distinction of Sharp shooter. Ewald went on to work many jobs finally settling in at the Texas State Highway Department in Seguin, Tx as a mechanic and welder. Ewald always enjoyed sharing a beer or two with his Highway brothers, especially his friend Dilley Seelk. Ewald became an Uncle many times over, but was particularly blessed with a close relationship with his nephew Roger Warncke. The two shared a passion for cars and racing which led to many trips to local racetracks. Ewald was a Ford man, collecting many cars throughout the years but one of his favorites was his 1967 Ford Mustang. At 35, Ewald became Daddy to his son Clayton who he fondly called Chippie. They shared a love for the family farm and could often be seen sharing an evening on the truck tailgate discussing the cows, hay fields or just shooting the breeze. At 36, Ewald welcomed his daughter Vicki and his family was complete. Ewald was a candid man who could be somewhat stubborn. Vicki, aka Peaches, is said to have inherited those very traits. As a testimony to his faith, both kids attended Catholic school for 8 years each. Sundays after church often had the family attending any catholic church festival in a 50 mile radius. 1994 was a big year for Ewald as he retired from the Highway Dept after 30 years. He also became Grandpa to his grandson, Adam. In 1996, he welcomed his beloved granddaughter Kelly. Not an overly affectionate man, he nonetheless loved them both dearly as he enjoyed watching them grow up nearby. Settling into retirement, Ewald journeyed daily down to the farm to check on his prized cows. Good neighbors, like Clay Fohn knew Ewald could always be found with the tailgate down and a LoneStar in his hand. Ewald also showed a surprising fondness for watching the Spurs. However, it was his attachment to Blue Bell Vanilla ice cream that was legendary. Ewald continued to indulge his love of Spanish and Polka music. As an avid reader, he would often read the Sunday paper from front to back. To Ewald, living was having the bluebonnets blooming and being able to watch the sunset over the hayfield. In his lifetime Ewald attended 3 area Catholic Churches. Baptized and married at St. Hedwig, long time parishioner at Seguin St. James and finally at La Vernia St. Ann’s. Sundays and holy days of obligation were taken seriously. Ewald spoke a little German & some Spanish but during the annual large family gathering held every Easter at the family farm, he was always happy to oblige the nieces and nephews by leading all in the Our Father prayer in Polish. A down to earth man not in need of worldly treasures, Ewald, age 90 was called home by our Heavenly Father on June 30 2023. He will be forever loved and missed. Ewald was preceded in his death by his parents & his little sister Irene (Gutz) Kappmeyer.
Ewald leaves behind his loving wife, Lulabelle, his children Clayton Rakowitz & Vicki (Dennis) Collins, the son of his heart Roger (Sandee) Warncke, his grandchildren Adam Poore & Kelly Poore, his sister Helen (Rakowitz) Lynch, brother-in-law Gary Kappmeyer plus countless nieces & nephews, friends and family. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Finch Funeral Chapel- La Vernia, and the Rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. that same evening at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at St. Ann Catholic Church in La Vernia, Texas. Father Johnson Le will officiate the Funeral Mass. Interment will follow at Christ Lutheran of Elm Creek Cemetery near Seguin, TX with military honors. Serving as Pallbearers: Adam Poore, Christopher Kappmeyer, Clay Fohn, Donald Doege, Matthew Kappmeyer, and Roger Warncke; Honorary Pallbearers: Dilley Seelk and Edward Doege.
The blue-eyed Halloween born baby was welcomed by his parents Josephine (Skryzcki) Rakowitz & Kleofas Rakowitz as well as older sister Helen (Rakowitz) Lynch. Young Ewald lost his father when he was only 14 months old to a hunting accident. Years later, when Josephine married Joe Gutz, Ewald would become step-brother to Joe’s children. He would also go onto to be half-brother to a new sister, Irene (Gutz) Kappmeyer. At age 19, Ewald became a husband as he married his young sweetheart Lulabelle Jane Warncke on Sept 13 1952 at Annunciation Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church of St. Hedwig. Bound by faith and devoted to each other, they would go onto celebrate 70 plus years of marriage. Ewald enlisted in the Marine Corps & was stationed for a time at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Ewald was honorably discharged but not before receiving the distinction of Sharp shooter. Ewald went on to work many jobs finally settling in at the Texas State Highway Department in Seguin, Tx as a mechanic and welder. Ewald always enjoyed sharing a beer or two with his Highway brothers, especially his friend Dilley Seelk. Ewald became an Uncle many times over, but was particularly blessed with a close relationship with his nephew Roger Warncke. The two shared a passion for cars and racing which led to many trips to local racetracks. Ewald was a Ford man, collecting many cars throughout the years but one of his favorites was his 1967 Ford Mustang. At 35, Ewald became Daddy to his son Clayton who he fondly called Chippie. They shared a love for the family farm and could often be seen sharing an evening on the truck tailgate discussing the cows, hay fields or just shooting the breeze. At 36, Ewald welcomed his daughter Vicki and his family was complete. Ewald was a candid man who could be somewhat stubborn. Vicki, aka Peaches, is said to have inherited those very traits. As a testimony to his faith, both kids attended Catholic school for 8 years each. Sundays after church often had the family attending any catholic church festival in a 50 mile radius. 1994 was a big year for Ewald as he retired from the Highway Dept after 30 years. He also became Grandpa to his grandson, Adam. In 1996, he welcomed his beloved granddaughter Kelly. Not an overly affectionate man, he nonetheless loved them both dearly as he enjoyed watching them grow up nearby. Settling into retirement, Ewald journeyed daily down to the farm to check on his prized cows. Good neighbors, like Clay Fohn knew Ewald could always be found with the tailgate down and a LoneStar in his hand. Ewald also showed a surprising fondness for watching the Spurs. However, it was his attachment to Blue Bell Vanilla ice cream that was legendary. Ewald continued to indulge his love of Spanish and Polka music. As an avid reader, he would often read the Sunday paper from front to back. To Ewald, living was having the bluebonnets blooming and being able to watch the sunset over the hayfield. In his lifetime Ewald attended 3 area Catholic Churches. Baptized and married at St. Hedwig, long time parishioner at Seguin St. James and finally at La Vernia St. Ann’s. Sundays and holy days of obligation were taken seriously. Ewald spoke a little German & some Spanish but during the annual large family gathering held every Easter at the family farm, he was always happy to oblige the nieces and nephews by leading all in the Our Father prayer in Polish. A down to earth man not in need of worldly treasures, Ewald, age 90 was called home by our Heavenly Father on June 30 2023. He will be forever loved and missed. Ewald was preceded in his death by his parents & his little sister Irene (Gutz) Kappmeyer.
Ewald leaves behind his loving wife, Lulabelle, his children Clayton Rakowitz & Vicki (Dennis) Collins, the son of his heart Roger (Sandee) Warncke, his grandchildren Adam Poore & Kelly Poore, his sister Helen (Rakowitz) Lynch, brother-in-law Gary Kappmeyer plus countless nieces & nephews, friends and family. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Finch Funeral Chapel- La Vernia, and the Rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. that same evening at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at St. Ann Catholic Church in La Vernia, Texas. Father Johnson Le will officiate the Funeral Mass. Interment will follow at Christ Lutheran of Elm Creek Cemetery near Seguin, TX with military honors. Serving as Pallbearers: Adam Poore, Christopher Kappmeyer, Clay Fohn, Donald Doege, Matthew Kappmeyer, and Roger Warncke; Honorary Pallbearers: Dilley Seelk and Edward Doege.