Carroll Frank Racek

Carroll Frank Racek went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February, 20, 2020 at the age of 85. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 26th at the Ankeny Funeral Home at 1510 W. 1st ST., Ankeny, with burial to follow at the Lincoln Cemetery near Alleman. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 25th at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to his church, White Oak Church.

Carroll was born January 4, 1935 in Des Moines to Frank and Lena Racek. Throughout his childhood and after graduation from high school he helped his father farm on the family homestead west of Alleman. Carroll attended Iowa State for nearly two years before being drafted into the Army. He proudly served his country while developing his mechanic skills by working on tanks and transport vehicles. After his service he returned home to continue his vocation, farming.

Carroll loved to learn and attended classes to develop his skills in the electrical and air conditioning business. In 1984 he started Racek Service, a business that served the local community and Coop branches with any electrical or air conditioning need. There were few problems that he could not fix and would be found working everyday but Sunday, and occasionally those days as well, if a neighbor needed help.

Carroll married Patricia Oneth on his 28th birthday. They had 51 years together, living the majority of them on the family farm. They had two daughters, Carolyn (Rodney) Burt and Carrie Pearson.

Carroll loved to tease and tell a joke, even at his own expense, always ready to laugh and have fun with an ornery twinkle in his eye. He loved to attend his grandchildren’s activities and sporting events, often being seen with a stopwatch around his neck. He was affectionately known as “Grandpa” to the rest of the team. There was no game or meet too far away that he and Pat would not attend. They were constants in their lives, guiding and giving in only a way a grandparent could. His love of family was evident in whatever he did.

Carroll would say that the most important thing in his life was knowing and accepting Christ as his Savior. His earnest hope would be for all to have the same assurance that he knew through his Salvation. That he is now in a better place, more alive then ever on this earth, in Heaven with Jesus, without pain and happy to be finally home.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, son-in law, grandchildren, Meghann (Blake) Smith, Katelynn (Kevin) Mishler, Taylor (Justin) Knoll, and Brandan Pearson. Greatgrandchildren include Lena, Everett, Ella Smith and baby Mishler due in June. Carroll is now reunited with his wife, parents and sister, Mildred.