Deb Kaczmarek (Radtke)
November 7, 2019
I have many fond and funny memories of Wally. Peace be with you all and hugs Gracie.
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Walter J. Reklaitis, age 85, of Sheboygan, died on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at the Sheboygan Progressive Health Care Center. He was born in Sheboygan on January 4, 1934, the son of the late Walter and Anastasia Jesinski Reklaitis.
He attended St. Peter Claver Grade School, South Side Junior High School and graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1952. While in high school he was an outstanding athlete participating in basketball, football and track. On August 27, 1955 he was united in marriage to Grace Garling in Sheboygan.
Wally and Grace were the owner/operators of Rek’s Bar on 12th and Broadway for 37 years from 1956 to 1993. Wally was inducted into the Sheboygan Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1990, the Sheboygan South High School Wall of Fame in 1996, the Sheboygan Softball Association Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Sheboygan County Baseball Association Hall of Fame in 2015. Wally played football for the Sheboygan County Redwings from 1953 to 1955 and has been a member of Sheboygan YMCA since 1955. He logged thousands of miles swimming at the YMCA and the Sheboygan Quarry. Wally will always be remembered by many former customers, teammates, competitors and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Grace, of Sheboygan; a son, Randall (Mary) Reklaitis, of Sheboygan; three grandchildren, Lindsay Reklaitis, of New York, Tanner (Jessica) Reklaitis and Jared Reklaitis, both of Sheboygan. Wally is also survived by a special niece, Lynne (Jeff) Schuette, of Arizona; a stepsister, Sharon (Kenneth) Thimmig, of Oostburg and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dr. N.C. and Malitta Garling, brothers-in-law, Keith (Ruth) Garling, Robert (Barbara) Garling, a sister-in-law, Marilyn (Carroll) Schiffler, a stepbrother, Thomas Mehlberg, and aunts, uncles and cousins.
Family and friends may gather at the Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 South 12th Street, Sheboygan on Thursday evening November 7, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Wally’s name to the Sheboygan YMCA. A heartfelt thank you is extended to the caregivers at Sheboygan Progressive Care Center for their compassion and care that was given to Wally. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
Visitation
Date: Thursday Nov 7, 2019
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home [map]
Guestbook Entries SIGN GUESTBOOK
Gene & Jeanette Lutze
November 7, 2019
Gene & I send our sympathy and prayers to your family. Many fun times which bring precious memories.
Colleen L. Wienke
November 7, 2019
Dear Grace and family -
My sincere sympathy to all of you. Wally was a genuinely kind man, and loved by many. He will be missed! May God bless you with the comfort and peace that only He can give.
jack wirtz
November 7, 2019
Hi Grace, sorry to read of wally,s passing. my best to you, jack
Dan Diener Sr.
November 7, 2019
Grace, I am deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered. My condolences to the Reklaitis family.
Bill Schlegel
November 6, 2019
We are very sorry to hear that Wally has past away. He was well known and had alot of friends. He will be sadly missed by many. Grace, Randy and family, you have our deepest sympathy. Bill & Karen Schlegel
John Henseler
November 6, 2019
Grace and Randy,
Sorry for your loss. I hope that whenever someone tells a story about Wally that the story brings back many good memories and smiles to your faces.
Rueben N Klueger
November 6, 2019
So sorry for your families loss. We all had many fun times at Rex bar over the years. Grace was so much fun, and Wally was more business, but fun also. I will always remember Wally driving around in his old black Buick convertible with his bathing suit hanging on the outside drivers door mirror. Classic. Wally and Grace were a couple for the ages.
Rueben and Susan Klueger.
laura vugrinovich
November 6, 2019
my condolences to the rekalitis family you are in our prayers
Roger Ostermann
November 6, 2019
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family .
Rek's Bar was one of my first customers when I started my business vary nice people.
Dave Kober
November 6, 2019
One of those friends you'll never forget.
Don Sterkel
November 6, 2019
Grace and family - My condolences to you. family on Walt's passing. It was always a wonderful time when it was spent in your company. Wally was one of the people that made everyone a better person.
Matthew Sabol
November 5, 2019
Wally was a great man and loved talking to him when I was kid. It was a pleasure to know him.
Peggy McClure Gordon
November 5, 2019
Grace and Randy.
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember when my Dad died and he came to Grandma's and he gave me such a hug and held on tight. God bless you all.
Kathie Berger
November 5, 2019
To the family of Wally.
So sorry to hear about the passing of Wally. He will be deeply missed. He was one hell of a great guy.
Our condolences to you all
James Fischer
November 5, 2019
So sorry for your loss...
Todd Mullane
November 5, 2019
Wally was one of the “good ones”. He was a great friend and mentor for so many years. He will be deeply missed. Grace, Randy, and the rest of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Connie (Casey) Schachel
November 5, 2019
On behalf of all the "Riverdale" girls who loved Wally (and Gracie, too), God speed good friend. Many have gone before him, but there are a few of us left who remember his patience as he tried to mold us into great bowlers (or at least not embarrassingly bad), the burgers he fixed when we stopped in after league, and the genuine kindness and respect he gave to all.
Thomas D Dekker
November 5, 2019
Grace I am sorry to hear about the passing of Wally. I can remember the times together with my Dad in your bar when I was young. I will never forget your great laugh Grace. God will pull you through this tough time.
Lynne Schuette
November 5, 2019
Every visit with Wally was a good time. He was always an entertainer with his jokes and stories.
His life was family, friends, sports and Elvis! Remembering his smiles and laughter,
Lynne Schuette (niece)