Roger John Hayek

Roger John Hayek, age 91, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Ridgewood Care Center. Born in Racine, March 8, 1935, he was the son of the late John and Iva (Nee: Stephan) Hayek. He graduated from Wm Horlick High School “Class of 1953”.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served for 26 months stationed in Tokyo, Japan. After returning to Racine, he met his love, Jana L. Clausen at UW Extension, and on February 1, 1958, they were married at Atonement Lutheran Church. Roger went on to graduate from U.W. Parkside, received teaching credits through Carthage College and received a master’s degree from UW-Whitewater. Roger worked for Racine Unified, Educators Credit Union and Racine Federated as a construction tool salesman.

Roger loved sailing on Brown’s Lake and played tennis and racquetball until his later years. He also enjoyed biking, swimming, cribbage & sheepshead in his retirement. He will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Jana; 3 children, Scott (Cheryl) Hayek, Debra (Jeff) Minton, Kristi (Peter White) Hayek; 4 grandchildren, Bradley Hayek, Christen (Steve) Schommer, Lyndsay (Mark) Haubrich, Taylor (Jenna) Minton; 9 great grandchildren: Leo, Camden and Beau; Daniel, Charles and Sophia; Jordan, Logan and Weston; sister-in-law, Judith Clausen; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brothers-in-law, Shirley (George) Kamakian & William Clausen.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 11am with Reverend Laura Fladten officiating. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family prior to the service 10-11 am.

Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have been suggested.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Compassus Hospice nurses and aides for their loving and compassionate care.