Kenneth Paul Raetz

Kenneth Paul Raetz was born on February 16, 1927 and passed away on December 14, 2021 in Milwaukie, Oregon. He grew up during the depression and was the youngest of six children. His parents worked hard to provide for their large family during a very difficult time. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School and held various jobs for the school throughout his time there. He was responsible for stoking the fires at the school and the church and later drove a school bus, taking kids to school. He entered the Navy before graduation where he served during WWII, spending most of his service time in China.

Throughout his life, Ken held many jobs, each providing him with new skills and experiences. From a very young age, Ken could fix anything. By the age of seven, he could even put a motor together! For twenty years, Ken worked as a tool and die engineer. He then went on to work for OMARK (Oregon Saw Chain Manufacturing Corporation) and later to open his own chainsaw manufacturing business. From his first marriage, Ken had two children: Rachelle and Bradley. During his time at OMARK, he met and later married Patti in 1978. The two were married for 43 years.

Ken was often a very serious and very private man, but he was also able to let loose and could be very comical and joyous. He loved spending time with his family above all else. His grandchildren were everything to him. Even during the end of his life, when his body was fragile, he would welcome his great-grandchildren all around him. Family was always important to Ken. When he was young, his mother and her five sisters would bring hilarity and joy to family gatherings. These ladies laughed together so much they were known as The Laughing Fallerts!

Ken was preceded in death by his parents: Clifford and Marie Raetz, and his son, Bradley Raetz. He is survived by his wife, Patti Raetz; daughter: Rachelle (Bill) Willman; daughter-in-law, Linda Raetz; grandchildren: Matthew Willman, Christopher Willman, Jeff (Julie) Raetz and Jenny (Ben) Kennard; great-grandchildren: Taylor, Brooke, Camille, James, Elliott, Noah, Benson, Kinsley, and Ace; step-children: Cari DeSimone, Craig Calder, Cayce Calder and their families as well as numerous nieces and nephews.