Rakow, Shirley L. (nee Fuchs)

Shirley L. (nee Fuchs) Rakow, passed away on June 15, 2024, age 74 at home after a courageous battle with rectal cancer. Shirley was born on July 26, 1949, in Monroe, WI, the daughter of William and Helen (Solberg) Fuchs. She went to school in the New Glarus, Stoughton School Districts. She proudly graduated from Stoughton High School in 1969. She worked for several years in the Food Service Department for the McFarland School District. She married Richard Rakow on July 11, 1992, in Avoca, WI.

Shirley loved to play euchre and dance. One of her biggest accomplishments was getting her driver's license which Dick encouraged and helped her get before they were married. She played cards as often as she could. She was referred to as the "Terror of Tuesdays" when playing with the Tuesday card players! When she was no longer able to play cards, or dance it was very difficult on her every week. She enjoyed the visits from some of the card players before the Wednesday afternoon games in Avoca. She absolutely loved county music and went to hear local bands whenever possible. She taught her brothers and nephew how to dance to good, old time country music like, The Goose Island Ramblers, Don Ring and his Orchestra, Good Time Band, Roger Bright, Bobby and Lorraine Rice Family, Alpine Brass, to name just a few. After her marriage to Dick, they could be found wherever there were live country bands as Monty Berger and The Country Gold Band, Cady and Company, Maggie Mae, Brian Bruegger, Dean Holmen, they also attended Country in the Country in Bear Valley every year.

She is survived by two brothers, Roger Fox of Elk Grove, CA and Gary (JoAnn) Fuchs of Briggsville, WI. Nephew, Michael Fuchs and his children Kai and Mia, Madison, WI and niece, Jessica Fox, and her children, Raefe and Hannah, Bremerton, WA and many extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard in 2010, her parents, William, in 1977, Helen in 2000, brother, Robert in 1999, and sister-in-law, Valerie Fox in 2016. She is also preceded in death by her husband's brothers, and their wives, and brother-in-law. She was especially close to Dicks sister, Florance Adams.

We would like to thank Agrace Hospice care teams for all the care they gave Shirley during her illness. We want to extend a special thank you to Wade, Jodie, Angelina, and Wyatt Peat for all the time, caring love you have given Shirley over the years. You held a very special place in her heart as you do in ours!

Shirley, I told you several times in the last 8 months that you were one strong woman, and I sincerely meant that.

You were the best patient. You never complained once about how we took care of you, having to repeat yourself to me because I couldn't hear you (because I really do need hearing aids), laughing instead of crying, getting me hooked on Y&R again! Thanks! I have known you since I was 17 and it has been a pleasure getting to know you better and letting me see and get to know the real Shirley Fuchs Rakow! Love you!

Funeral services will be held at Godager-Pratt Funeral Home, 710 North Wisconsin Avenue Muscoda, WI, on Monday, June 24, 2024. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow at the Avoca Cemetery in Avoca, WI, with a luncheon to follow at the Avoca Community Center, 401 Wisconsin St. Avoca, WI. Memorials can be made to Agrace Hospice 316 W. Spring Street Dodgeville, WI 53533.