Phillip H. Rakow

Phillip H. Rakow, age 86, of Little Falls, MN, passed away Saturday, October 1, 2011 at his home at Highland Senior Living in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Belle Prairie, MN, with Fr. Mark Innocenti officiating. Interment will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Belle Prairie, MN. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN, with a Knights of Columbus Office of the Dead at 7:00. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the service. Phillip H. Rakow (affectionately known by his family as Papa) was born on August 23, 1925 in Buffalo, North Dakota the son of Wilhelm & Mary Louise (Gaboury) Rakow. He grew up on a farm in North Dakota until the age of 11 when the family moved to the family farm near Freedhem, MN. He served in the United States Army on the Aleutian Islands during World War II. He was united in marriage to Rosella "Rose" Pusc at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN. The couple made their home on the family farm near Freedhem where they raised their family. Phillip was a farmer all his life and stayed active on the farm even after retirement. Following Rosella's death, he continued living on the farm until he moved to Highland Senior Living in Little Falls in April, 2011. Phillip was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Little Falls V.F.W. and the Farmers Union Coop. Along with farming, he enjoyed playing cards, telling stories, teasing his family especially his wife, watching Westerns, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Barbara (Jim) Cole, Julie (Jim) Schmelzer, Neil (Dawn) Rakow, Brenda (Gunnar) Popilek all of Little Falls, MN; ten grandchildren, Melynda (Donald) Cluka, Jamie (Ana) Cole, Chad Schmelzer, Jolene (Randy) Schmelzer, Corey (Heidi) Rakow, Ben (Sheri) Cole, Amanda (Ryan) Popilek, Terrence Rakow, Logan Popilek, Larissa (Nathan) Rakow; seven great-grandchildren, Philo, Vincent and Caley Rakow, Emily, Jessica and Desiree Cole, and Hunter LeBlanc; and siblings, Bonnie Sladek of St. Paul, MN, Wayne (Marie) Rakow of Ft. Ripley, MN and Dale (Sharon) Rakow of Henning, MN. Phillip was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rosella "Rose" (July 19, 2005); granddaughter, Kristin Rakow and many brothers and sisters.