Nathleen J. Rajala

She was born at home July 5th, 1932, in Hibbing, Minnesota, the daughter of the late Rudolph and Blanche (Little) Musich. The eldest of four children, she was especially close to her sister, Lenore, and youngest brother, Michael. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Calumet, Michigan and graduated from Calumet High School.

She married the late Clarence Edward Rajala on August 18, 1951. They welcomed five children and raised their family in Waukegan, Illinois. Nathleen loved family life and watching her children grow—she was very proud of each of them. Most summers they went on camping trips to the “Copper Country” in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Some years they also traveled and explored national parks throughout the U.S. Later, Nathleen worked at Victory Memorial Hospital’s Business Office to help provide for her children’s college education—a goal that was very important to her. That part-time job turned into a 25-year career!

In her retirement Nath liked spending more time with her children and their families, including nine beloved grandchildren, and three special great grandkids. Her extended family members—aunts, uncles, siblings plus in-laws and their families, as well as many nieces and nephews—were a joy to her throughout her lifetime and she looked forward to visits. She enjoyed “coffee and cards” with the Walnut Street girls, reading books, traveling, playing the accordion (a lost art!) and just enjoying the gift of each day. She was a great cook and together with her husband, Clarence, made the tastiest Finnish pasties. (To receive a dinner invitation on “Pasty Night” was a special honor!) She loved digging into family history and helped document genealogy for both the Musich and Rajala family trees. She had exceptional organizational skills and knew how to manage a tight budget for her large family, such that no one felt as if they were doing without. Nathleen was kind and loving, an eternal optimist, and always greeted you with a smile and a cheerful attitude. She and her late husband were longtime members of St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Waukegan.

She is survived by her five children—Kathleen J. Wells of Lindenhurst; Terry A. (Patricia) Rajala of Roseville, MN; Sandra M. Rajala of Chicago; Eileen R. (Keith) Meyer of Amelia Island, FL; and Jennifer A. (Tim) Boehle of Oregon, IL; grandchildren Melissa (Scott) Metzelfeld, Rachel Wells, Rebecca (Eric) Rajala-Kulzer, William (Leslie) Meyer, Christian Meyer, Mitchell Meyer, Taylor (Zak) Dowlding, and Jonathan Boehle; as well as great grandchildren Myles, Sadie, and Max Metzelfeld. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Mary Musich of Michigan and Helen Musich of Arizona, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband Clarence E. Rajala, son-in-law Russell Wells; grandson Michael Rajala, sister Lenore (Marvin) Wilkinson; brothers Michael and Rudolph Musich; brother in-law Robert (Gerry) Rajala and sister-in-law Eleanor (Ted) Miller.

Visitation will be at 10:00 am followed by Funeral Service at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee. Memorials may be made to the Waukegan Public Library (or your local library).

A visitation for Nathleen will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031. A graveside service will occur Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Ascension Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 1920 W Buckley Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048.