Matthew Raatz

Matthew J. Raatz, age 48, of Racine, formerly of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at Ascension All Saints Medical Center in Racine.

Matthew was born January 24, 1975, in Wausau, to William “Bill” and Shari (Groth) Raatz. He graduated from Edgar High School in 1993 and pursued his undergraduate degree in Business Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1998. He earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2002 from Cardinal Stritch University. He married Jennifer Kind on June 27, 1998, and together they had four children. Their marriage later ended in divorce.

Matthew taught Business Education at the Racine Unified School District in Racine. He was also a member of Future Business Leaders of America. He was known for always having a mini-fridge stocked with Diet Mountain Dew in his classroom. Matthew loved traveling and visited several states and also went to Germany and Mexico. In his spare time, you could find him reading some of his favorite books by John Grisham and Shel Silverstein. He also liked to watch true crime shows on T.V. including Law and Order and the First 48. Matthew loved to spend time with his children, taking them fishing up north to the Hayward area and going to the movies, mini golfing, and shopping in Madison and Appleton. He never missed a Friday night for a fish fry or pass on a piece of pumpkin pie. In his younger years he enjoyed going hunting.

Matthew is survived by his mom, Shari; four children: Ethan, Katja, Mya and Landon; brother, Jon (Kathy) Raatz, and sister Christy (Dan) Roloff; nephews: Hunter, Mitchell, Logan and Will; and his BFF, Joe. He is further survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his dad, William “Bill” Raatz, and niece, Alexis Roloff.

A service was held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Burial was at Pioneer Cemetery. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Sunday at the funeral home. In honor of Matthew’s life, the family had everyone in attendance to wear something with a pop of color.

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