Tari A. (Jaeger) Rajchel

Tari Ann (Jaeger) Rajchel, age 60, passed away on June 23 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, surrounded by family and love.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1965, Tari lived a life defined by devotion—to her family, friends, faith, profession, and the Packers—and found tremendous joy in all of them.

A proud graduate of Arrowhead High School (where she was also softball state champion), Tari earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Carroll College. It was there she met her best friend, Ann Bozich, kicking off a lifelong friendship indistinguishable from the bonds of family.

Called by the opportunity to help people, Tari channeled her caring spirit into her nursing career. She began as a nurse at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, quickly earning a reputation for being unshakably sharp, compassionate, and a tenacious advocate for her patients. Over the years, she transitioned into the world of healthcare IT, earning her doctorate from the University of Minnesota.

Tari was the glue of her family—the driving force behind every gathering, every tradition, every reunion. Her children and grandchildren were the joy of her life, and she made sure they knew it. No call went unanswered; no milestone went uncelebrated; no game or performance went un-cheered or un-documented.

She found joy outdoors – especially summers at the lake. She enjoyed landscaping and yardwork, including (really!) mowing the lawn with precisely straight lines. She loved fishing, golf with her girlfriends, watching college softball, and absolutely lived for football season (especially if it meant the Packers were beating the Vikings).

For Tari, Diet Coke and Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream were not just staples – they were foundational to life itself. So much so, her father snuck them into the hospital after her children were born.

Tari’s stubborn streak was legendary, as was her love for Christmas; neither was to be trifled with. For Tari, Christmas began the moment she took the last bite of Thanksgiving dinner. Cleaning dishes from one holiday, she would be singing Carols from the next. Her Christmas Villages transformed her home into a holiday wonderland. Candlelight service on Christmas Eve, a living room covered in sleeping bags for her family, watching everyone open their gifts… The entirety of the Christmas season delighted her.

Faith was a cornerstone of Tari’s life, and she was a longtime member of Central Lutheran Church in Elk River, Minnesota. Her faith was quiet but unshakable, another way she cared for those around her.

Tari shared 29 years of marriage and enduring friendship with Robert “Bob” Rajchel, the father of her children and a continued caring presence in her life.

In a final act of devotion and generosity, Tari gave the gift of life and wellness through organ donation.

She is survived by her children: Eric Rajchel and his wife Katie of Hartford, South Dakota; Katlyn “Katie” Janssen and her husband Derek of Becker, Minnesota; Brian Rajchel and his wife Savannah of Princeton, Minnesota; and Kevin Rajchel and his fiancée Jordan of Princeton, Minnesota. She was the proud and loving grandmother of Owen and Taylor Rajchel, and Carson Janssen.

She is also survived by her mother, Barb Jaeger of Weston, Wisconsin; her brother Mark Jaeger of Wausau, Wisconsin; her sister Kristi Oliver of Eagle, Wisconsin; Ann Bozich of Big Bend, Wisconsin; and by Bob Rajchel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Jaeger (2017).

Her children share a few of their favorite reflections – testaments to her spirit, humor, and love:

…She really was a fanatic about mowing the lawn. If you mowed it into odd angles, she’d ban you from mowing ever again; so naturally, we’d mow it into irregular patterns on purpose.

…She was a fierce Wisconsin sports fan, yet somehow all of her children married Minnesota sports fans… (even the one from Iowa!) Tari took joy in the irony, as well as joy in talking smack at every opportunity.

…She was a renowned whiz within the complexities of healthcare enterprise IT systems… but nearly helpless in the face of changing out her own printer.

…She’d throw herself in a home improvement project… only to find she needed help with nearly all of it (Her son Kevin, in particular, was often “volunteered” to help finish the job.)

To honor Tari’s memory, spend time with the ones you love: Dig your toes into the sand by the lake; watch the Women's College World Series; set out a Christmas Village; crack open a Diet Coke; talk trash about Minnesota sports; arrange the next family gathering. Lawn lines optional; just love your people.

A celebration of Tari’s life will be held on Monday, July 7, at Central Lutheran Church in Elk River, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m., with a prayer service to follow at 6:00 p.m.

Her final resting place will be at Highland Memorial Park in New Berlin, Wisconsin, with a burial service to be held on Friday July 11th at 2pm.

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