Rayma Joan Petracek

Rayma Petracek passed away November 12, 2022 in Brigham City, Utah. Rayma suffered and passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease with additional complications of Progressive Muscular Atrophy. In the face of her debilitating disease, her strength and optimism never faltered.    

She was born March 17, 1952, the daughter of Raymond Lowe and Betty Struhs. She was adopted in 1959 by Ernest and Mary Abel. Her loving adoptive mother passed away 2 ½ years after her adoption, leaving a void in Rayma’s life that was never filled.  

She was married to Michael Allen Petracek in October 1992 and they lived in Ogden, Utah. Rayma and Mike were avid Jazz fans. One of Rayma’s and Mike’s most memorable trips was when they went to Philadelphia to visit Rayma’s brother Ray.  During this trip they saw the Jazz play the 76ers on the Philadelphia court. After the game, they met many of the Jazz players.  

Rayma had many talents. Rayma received several medals while competing in bocce ball in the Special Olympics. Rayma loved to sing. At the young age of seven, Rayma memorized and sang all the theme songs from television shows. One of our favorite memories with Rayma is singing Christmas Carols. She loved to make crafts. She sewed tea towels, made necklaces and bracelets, made decorative paper flowers, and painted and colored pictures. She loved making winter yarn hats and gave them away as Christmas gifts. She wrote many short romantic stories, and, of course, they always had a “happily ever after” ending.   

Rayma loved to talk. She could tell stories for hours. Ensuring you were listening, she would say “Isn’t that right…” and then she addressed the person’s name she was with. With this said, here is a special message from your husband – Mike 

God blessed me with a special gift - my wife, my life partner, and my best friend. You would change your hair color monthly to see if I was paying attention and I was. My sweetheart and my honey, I will miss you very much - - ISN’T THAT RIGHT RAYMA! Love you, Mike  

The family would like to offer their sincere gratitude to the staff at Future Through Choices care facility in Brigham City who provided such kind and excellent care for Rayma over these past few years.   

Rayma is survived by her husband, Michael “Mike”; her brothers, Ray (Cariana), Danny (Joyce) and Lawrence (Nan); sisters-in-law, Bonnie Abel and Mike’s sister, Brenda (Scott) Collard.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Sandra; and brother, Ed.    

Rayma will be honored with a graveside service on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Ogden Cemetery, 1875 Monroe Blvd, Ogden, UT. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.