Obituary of Raymond Eugene Krek

RAYMOND E. KREK, 64, of Jefferson, Wisconsin passed away Saturday June 4, 2011 from natural causes at his home. Raymond was born on January 18, 1947, in Collinsville, Illinois, son of August and Giovanna (Pani) Krek. He graduated in 1965 from Collinsville Senior High School, where he proudly represented the school as Chief Kahok. In 1969, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree and graduated Cum Laude from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. He went on to attend Law School at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating in 1972. He served in The United States Army ROTC from 1969-1975, reaching the rank of Captain. Raymond has practiced law in Jefferson County, and throughout Wisconsin, since 1972. In 1974 Raymond became a partner in the Jefferson Law firm Danforth-McKenna and Krek. In 1995 he became the sole proprietor of Krek and Associates. Over the decades, he has established a well-earned reputation as a committed advocate who enjoys taking challenging cases that other lawyers do not want to handle. Since 1989, Raymond has been a fellow in the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers, America's pre-eminent professional organization for family law attorneys. He is the only attorney in Jefferson County to have earned that distinction. He has also served as the President of the Family Law Section of the Wisconsin State Bar Association, as an eight-year member of the Committee on Professional Ethics, and as the Jefferson County Family Court Commissioner. Raymond was a member of the Jefferson Rotary Club for over 30 years, receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship award. He was a past Chairperson and active member of The Jefferson County Democratic Party. Raymond had a very selfless spirit and often went out of his way to help people in need. Raymond's great passions in life were his children, grandchildren, his friends, good food, fast cars, and traveling. Left to forever cherish his memory is Raymond's wife Gayle (Piper) Krek, and their beloved children, Amy Davis of Wheaton IL, Brandon (Carrie) Finley of Sauk City, WI, Liza Massaro of Wheaton, IL, Meghan (Brian) Visger of Arlington WI, and David Krek of Chicago, IL. Raymond was loved dearly by his eight grandchildren; Elias, Nina, Nicholas, Sophia, Piper, Bella, Lucca, and Nora. He is also survived by his mother Joanna (Giovanna) Krek, of Wisconsin Dells, WI, and sisters Karen (Denny) Schillings of Frankfort, IL and Carol (Steve) Demler of Wisconsin Dells, WI. Preceding him in death were his father, August Krek, and niece, Corinne Schillings. To celebrate Ray's life, a visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 7, 2011 at the Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home in Jefferson and then again from 10:00-12:00 noon on Wednesday June 8, 2001 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday June 8, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson with the Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating, burial will follow at the Parish Cemetery. Those wishing to express sympathy with a memorial donation may be directed to the Raymond Krek Memorial Fund at Premier Bank, 320 South Center Ave. Jefferson, WI 53549. Monies collected will be donated to People Against Domestic Abuse (PADA) of Jefferson County. Condolences and memorials can also be made online at www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com