Shari Ann Rataczak

MONTELLO – Shari Ann Rataczak, 70, of Montello, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Aspirus Divine Savior.  Shari was married to Daniel J. Rataczak for 47 ½ years and is the mother of two children and grandmother to five grandchildren.

Shari was born on May 8, 1955, to Audrey and Bernard Lobenstein in Tomah, WI.  After graduating from Portage High School in 1973, she continued her love for sports, being an assistant coach for volleyball and track at Portage High School.  Some of her proudest memories from coaching 10+ years, was coaching her three younger sisters, especially at the state level.

Shari worked at Rayovac in Portage for five years and later began dairy farming alongside her husband, Dan, for 16 years.  She then worked for 20 years and retired from the Portage Community School District.     
One of Shari’s interests and loves was hunting.  Formerly being a Lobenstein, there was always friendly competition between family members on “Who Shot The Best Buck”.  Everyone would agree it was always Shari.  The love of cards and games with family and friends were instilled in her by her mother.

She is survived by her husband, Dan Rataczak;  daughter, Kori (Greg) Coddington;  son, Matthew Rataczak, her grandchildren, Lily (Connor), Zach, Coalten, Zoey and Harry;  her siblings, Denny (Joanne) Lobenstein, Gary (Joan) Lobenstein, Rick (Kathy) Lobenstein, Julie (Mark) Jordahl, Terry (Mark) Plesek and Jane (Craig) Boller;  her brother-in-law, Dave (Jean) Rataczak;  her sisters-in-law, Sue (Russ) Simonson and Terri “Tudi” Jaster;  29 nieces and nephews; 17 great-nieces and -nephews; other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Audrey and Bernie, Dan’s parents, Ramona and Don Rataczak, infant brother, David Lobenstein, her brother-in-law, Joel Jaster and Dan’s brother, Dennis.

A message to Jeremy from Aunt “Shirley” (Shari) – “I am watching you from above ….  Keep smiling, especially when riding the mule.”

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Portage High School Commons.  All are welcome to come and share memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a scholarship fund in the name of Shari A. Rataczak.  Please make checks payable to Julie A. Jordahl, and mail c/o Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, 430 W. Wisconsin St., Portage, WI  53901.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.