Elbert J. Rackow, 95, 512 W Cleveland St, Marshfield, Wisconsin, died on March 21, 2023, in Marshfield. He
was born on April 12, 1927, at Plymouth, Wisconsin, to Louis and Ruth (DeSmidt) Rackow.

Elbert and Hulda Diringer were married on October 15, 1948, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, Germany. Elbert retired on June 9, 1990, from teaching Social Studies at Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) for 22 years. Prior to teaching at SPASH Elbert served over 21 years on active duty in the U. S. Army. During that time he served two tours of duty in Germany and two tours of duty in Korea. He also served as an Alderperson in the City of Stevens Point for 14 years ending in 2005.

He is survived by his daughter, Helen C. Johannes (Richard), Marshfield; two grandchildren, Paul Johannes (Marie), Marshfield, and Andrea Johannes (Vincent), France; and two great-grandsons Job and Judah Johannes.

He was predeceased by his father Louis and his mother Ruth; Hulda, his wife of 71 years; his sister, Jane E. Bergemann (Gerald), Marion, Iowa; and his brother, Martin L. Rackow (Noreen), Janesville.

His hobbies included fishing, deer hunting, photography, and collecting books for the semi-annual SPARTA book sale. Elbert graduated from Merrill High School in 1945. At the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point he earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in 1968 and a Master of Science in Teaching History in 1970. Elbert helped ensure that teachers, whether actively teaching or retired, were treated fairly in his work with the Stevens Point Area Teachers’ Association, the Uni-Serve Council, and the Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers’ Association. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers’ Association (SPARTA) Scholarship Fund and/or the UW-SP Foundation.

A public time of visitation was held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Boston
Funeral Home. A private burial will be held in Forest Cemetery in Stevens Point.