Conrad Lawrence Rataezyk

Conrad L. Rataezyk, 87 year old, Worland resident, passed away at the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin on February 18, 2006.

Conrad was born on January 4, 1919 to Thomas and Mary (Pulchinski) Rataezyk in St. Phillips, Montana. The family later moved from Montana to Wyoming.

On July 26, 1939 he was married to Beatrice Hodge in Worland, to this union was born 4 daughters, Elayne, Barbara, Helen and Mary.

Most of his life he was a mechanic and worked at the Manderson Garage and when the family moved to Worland he worked at Varney Motors, which is now Worland Ford.

He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a POW in Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge he was captured near the town of Schmitt, Germany. He was liberated on May 3, 1945 at the city of Schwerin, Germany by the U.S. Army. He received numerous medals including the Purple Heart.

Con loved being in the outdoors, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and stock car racing. He enjoyed reading and learning about local history. Prior to retirement he was Co-owner of Washakie Garage and Salvage with Bill and Barbara Perry. He was a member of St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church for over 60 years and a member of the VFW.

Con was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Helen Bihr, two grandsons Rodney and Dean Bihr, two brothers, Joseph and Lawrence, 5 sisters, Helen Douthit, Sally Omsberg, Eleanor Barnhart, Frances Minkes, Teresa Kukla and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife Bea of Worland, daughters; Elayne Salzman, Barbara (Bill) Perry, Mary Mallow, and, grandchildren; Connie (Tom) Clark, Curtis (Debbie) Salzman, Cheryl (Jay) Hergert, Robert Perry, Julie Sinn, Brian Perry, Ronald Bihr, Scott Bihr, Great grandchildren; Colton, Cenzie, Andrew, Kayla and Brendon