Judith Ellen Rakowski's Obituary
Judy E. Rakowski (Rademaker)
October 6, 1939-March 1, 2025
Daughter, sister, friend, wife, neighbor, aunt, mom, grandma, and a child of God. All the things she loved and took pride in being. In her roles, no one did it with so much love and commitment and she never looked better doing it, she was never in public with a hair out of place. To us, she was just the world’s best mom/grandma. Born to Carl R. and Dorothy L. (Graham) Rademaker in Muskegon, she was a curious little girl, always asking endless questions and always pictured sporting a Band-Aid somewhere on her body. Her curiosity continued throughout her life and her kids would tell her to “stop interrogating everyone!” She was the mom always standing and looking out the window on the door as all the neighborhood children played, old eagle eyes, always watching! In 1957, barely eighteen, she married her love, Don “bad boy” Rakowski from Grand Rapids. They met at the beach when she was sweet sixteen and they were married for 64 years. They had three sons, Todd (Trish Kupiec), Bradly (Christopher Swope) and Brian (Julie Poort). She had four Grandchildren; Devin, Alex (Cooper Urbany, and the couple is expecting a daughter), Aaron and Nikole. Judy sold her home of 57 years on Melmax St. in Norton Shores and moved in with her son and daughter-in-law and lived there for 5 months until her death. She found great humor in her final days, cracking jokes and making her family laugh with her, amusing and comforting them, rather than dwelling in sorrow. She died surrounded with her family’s love and care. Judy was comforted by her family and always said until the end how lucky she was to have the best family. Mom/grandma you will be missed, but the family is comforted knowing you will be embraced by your parents and husband who have preceded you. SERVICES for Judy will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, March 29, 2025 at St. Mark Lutheran Church (4475 Henry Street, Norton Shores 49441) with a VISITATION one hour prior to the service (from 10-11AM). Arrangements through The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St. Muskegon, MI 49444. Please consider signing the family’s online guestbook and share memories at sytsemafh.com
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