Brother Daniel C. Rakow, M.S.C.

Brother Daniel C. Rakow, M.S.C., 69, a member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, entered into his heavenly reward on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Asbury Gardens Supportive Living. Brother Dan was born June 8, 1945 in Elgin, Illinois to Arnold and Helen (Kohler) Rakow. He graduated from St. Catherine Parochial School, Dundee, IL, in 1959. In the fall of that year, Brother Dan entered Sacred Heart Mission Seminary, Geneva, IL, where he completed his secondary education. In 1963, he entered the novitiate of the order in Geneva, making first profession of vows in 1965. He was assigned as auto mechanic and general maintenance at the Geneva facility and, at the same time, was a member of the Geneva volunteer fire department and rescue squad. In 1971, he professed his perpetual vows and was transferred to the MSC community at Center Valley, PA, continuing in similar work. In 1974, Brother Dan was assigned to the missions of the order in Papua New Guinea, where he served for 34 years until returning in 2007. He helped to establish and run St. Joseph Training Center which started at Lemakot and later relocated to Fissoa in the Diocese of Kavieng on the island of New Ireland. His duties included business manager at the mission station at Lemakot, vocational school general manager, and medical orderly at the school. He entered into Asbury Gardens in 2011 and remained there until his death. Survivors include his two sisters, Romaine Culp and Diann Conard and their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister in infancy; his brothers-in-law, Dave Culp and Jim Conard; and his niece, Susan. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 9, 2014 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with the Office of the Dead at 7:30 PM, at St. Therese Church, 271 N. Farnsworth Ave, Aurora, IL 60505. Visitation will also be held Thursday, July 10, 2014 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM prior to the funeral Mass at St. Therese Church. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM with Fr. Raymond Diesbourg, M.S.C. as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A reception will be held after the burial. Funeral arrangements are being handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, IL 60506. 630-631-5500. Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com to leave condolences for Brother Daniel’s family or sign the guest book. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Brother Daniel’s name may be made to Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, 305 S. Lake St., Aurora, IL 60506.

Brother Daniel C. Rakow, M.S.C.

June 8, 1945 - July 5, 2014