John L. Rahjes

John L. Rahjes, 68, of Fond du Lac and formerly of Brownsville went home to his loving Savior on Thursday, March 15, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. John Lester was born the son of Delmar and Ethel (Schulz) Rahjes on October 17, 1949 in Fond du Lac. He was baptized on November 6, 1949 at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, township of Lomira and was confirmed on April 7, 1963 from St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in Brownsville. He was a graduate of Lomira High School and UW-Whitewater graduating cum laude. He was married to Darcy Bastian on August 8, 1970 at Memorial Baptist Church in Fond du Lac. John began his career as a teacher at Slinger Middle School. He later owned and operated Club 49 in Brownsville. Afterwards, he was employed with Mid-States Aluminum and in 2017 retired from Festival Foods in Fond du Lac. John was a member of Faith Ev. Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac where he formerly served on the board of Elders and was a head usher. He was also the coffee "master" for Sunday morning Bible classes. He was a member of the Brownsville Lion's Club beginning in 1972 and was chairman of their pizza fundraiser for 40 years. He coached football at Slinger Middle School for 9 years and baseball in the Brownsville area and at Winnebago Lutheran Academy for a total of 40 years. John had a true love for the game of baseball. He will be remembered as a storyteller extordinaire and was the best husband ever. John is survived by his wife, Darcy of Fond du Lac; his children: Rebecca Sue (Matthew) Dix of Oconomowoc and Matthew John Rahjes of New Berlin; his granddaughter, Ezry Sue Dix of Oconomowoc; his father, Delmar Rahjes of Theresa; his sisters-in-law: Alice (Joseph) Ossoff of Peabody, Mass., JoAnn (Lawrence) Towne of Lamartine, and Rosemary Helmer of Fond du Lac; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ethel; his father and mother-in-law, Oscar and Grace Bastian; and his brother-in-law, Merritt Helmer. A memorial gathering will be held at Faith Ev. Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac on Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 2 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 5 p.m. at the church. Pastor Michael Weigand will officiate. Memorials may be directed to Faith Ev. Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac, the Brownsville Lion's Club or the charity of one's choice.