Darwin Raatz, age 77, of Winneconne, passed away peacefully at his home on April 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born on May 19, 1948, in Wautoma, Wisconsin, to the late Max and Helen (Jazdzeswki) Raatz.

Darwin was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michael Raatz; his step-son, Jeremy Petit; his sister, Delores (Raatz) Bliske; and his brother-in-law, Clifford Bliske.

He is survived by his brother, Donald (Louanne) Raatz; his sister, Diane (Marty) Bongert; his children, James (Kris) Raatz and Shannon Raatz; and his step-children, Heather Petit, Brian Petit, and Brenda Marks. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Destinee (Anthony Frieze) Steponik, Dustin (Claire Gray) Morris, Austin (Haley) Morris, Jesse (Brittney Bloch) Raatz, Hunter (Paige Morgan) Raatz, Jack Raatz, and Mikal Raatz; and his step-grandchildren: Jessie Lee, Connor Petit, Lucy Marks, Ethan / Ellen Petit, Kaylee Petit, Hailey Petit, and Jerry Marks.

Darwin was also blessed with great-grandchildren Kenton, Maggie, Paisley, Oliver, Addison, Windlynn, Millie, Macie, and Delilah; as well as step-great-grandchildren Jayden, Aubrielle, Sophia, and Izaiah.

He will be deeply missed by his close friends Ronnie and Sally Lungwitz, and Kelly and Lewis Kumbier, along with many other dear friends and extended family members.

Darwin married Donna (Lee) on April 15, 2000, and together they shared many years filled with laughter, adventure, and companionship.

Darwin spent his working years at Berlin Foundry, where he was known for his diligence and strong work ethic. Outside of work, he was an affable, kind, and sociable man who never missed an opportunity to bring a smile to someone’s face. A natural storyteller and practical jokester, Darwin had a gregarious spirit that drew people to him.

He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter of bear, deer, and turkey, as well as an enthusiastic fisherman. Despite his rugged hobbies, he had a soft spot for animals—especially his beloved cat, Shadow. Darwin also enjoyed attending car auctions with his good friend Ronnie and many other auctions with his wife Donna. Together, Darwin and Donna enjoyed spending time at rummage sales, despite him saying he didn’t like them. He found excitement in car races and enjoyed visits to the casino.

A devoted fan of the late Dale Earnhardt, Darwin proudly collected memorabilia honoring the racing legend. He cherished trips to South Dakota and Wyoming, where he especially loved driving through the mountains.

Darwin’s sense of humor was one of a kind—he was once known to jokingly refer to his daughter as “a fart in a wind storm,” a phrase that perfectly captured his playful and lighthearted nature.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the care teams at Berlin Memorial Hospital and Moments Hospice for their compassion and support. A special thank you to Heather and Lisa at Berlin Hospital for their exceptional care and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed toward planting a tree in Darwin’s memory. 

Darwin will be remembered for his warmth, his laughter, and the countless memories he created with those he loved. His presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A memorial service for Darwin will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, 904 E Main St, Winneconne. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until the start of the service.