Enrique Rafael Ramirez

Enrique Rafael Ramirez, 54, currently of Adell, WI, went to be with the Lord, with his wife by his side, on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at his home after a 5 ½ year journey through cancer.

Enrique was born to F. Ignacio Ramirez and Ivonne Hilbron de Ramirez on May 31, 1969, in Los Angeles, CA. He was united in marriage to Suzanne Marie Bartnick on April 15, 2000, in Duluth, MN.

For most of his work career, he worked in IT, but he was able to get into his dream job as Director of Business Services at Road America in 2016. He was able to stay involved there until this year.

Cars and racing had been a passion of Enrique’s since he was a teenager. He first participated in the One Lap of America, a car rally event, in 1999, an event he had been following for many years prior. Between 1999 and 2023, he drove in this event 14 times (3 of the first ones with Suzanne and the 3 last ones with Eric). Enrique had a passion for running and participated in the Ragnar Relays 6 times. Family has always been important in his life. He and Suzanne’s love of family resulted in them becoming foster parents and adopting their three youngest children. Enrique had an ease of making friends and had made friendships in numerous states and countries over the years.

Enrique is survived by his wife of 23 years, Suzanne; ex-wife and mother of two oldest children, Celia Sara Arechiga (Guadalajara, MX); children, Andrea Ramirez (Guadalajara, MX), Eric Ramirez (Phoenix, AZ), Patrick Ramirez (Adell, WI), Nicolas Ramirez (Adell, WI), Noah Ramirez (Milwaukee, WI), Harvey Ramirez (Adell, WI), and Alaya Ramirez (Adell, WI); grandson, Dante Villalba (Andrea). He is further survived by his mother, Ivonne Heilbron de Ramirez (AZ); mother-in-law, Judy Bartnick (Lodi, WI); brothers, Ignacio (Kathy) Ramirez (NJ), and Oscar (Yan) Ramirez (AZ); siblings-in-law, Kathy Bockhop (Lodi, WI), Patti (Ray) Keichinger (Lodi, WI), Dave (Jeri) Bartnick (Lodi, WI), Greg (Erin) Bartnick (Lodi, WI); nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, F. Ignacio Ramirez (2018); father-in-law, Donald Bartnick (2017); and brothers-in-law, Daniel Bockhop (2016) and Steve Humphrey (2020).

A private family service will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held at Road America on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, 12-4pm.

Memorials are appreciated in Enrique’s name to the American Cancer Society. runsignup.com/enrram1

Enrique’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the American Cancer Society, the staff at Aurora Cancer Center in Grafton, Dr. John Scott Maul, Aurora Home Health Nurses, Dustin with Richardsons Palliative Care, the T-Baum Foundation, Epic Experience (Cancer Camp), Road America, and Brock Yates Jr. and the One Lap of America Community.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the thousands of people across the world that have had Enrique and his family in their prayers over the past years.