Walken Ratajczyk

Walken Ratajczyk (as he would tell people, “It’s pronounced like write-a-check.”) came to this earthly plane on April 21, 1944 to his parents Lambert and Delpha Ratajczyk, in Winona, MN. He was the third of six children. His parents named him Kenneth, but he legally changed it to Walken after spending a little over a year in the 1970s walking and exploring the West Coast. He felt it suited him better and because, well, he liked walking. 

Walken grew up in Winona, graduating from Winona Senior High School in the 60’s. Afterward, he was drafted into Vietnam. Because of his skill as a typist, Walken was sent to Germany instead. As a bit of a renaissance man and a lifelong hippie he loved to learn and travel. He spent some time in New York, working the World’s Fair. He had aspirations of becoming a dancer there, but something about Winona always kept calling him home. 

Walken eventually made his way back to the Midwest in the late 70’s where he was a student at the College of St. Teresa and then worked as a carpenter and artist. He worked for several construction companies helping to build the Steamboat Juilius C. Wilkie, and Shopko, as well and refurbishing many businesses and homes. His deep spirituality and open, kind spirit brought him to living in several different communities. One was a farm near Winona where he built a geodesic dome. The others were Solar with David Spangler and the Christine Center, both in Wisconsin. 

Walken’s only child, John Gebhart, was born in 1981. John inherited Walken’s love of nature, gardening, art, and if we’re going to be completely honest, a fantastic head of hair. In the late 80’s, Walken was happy to be on the board that helped establish the Bluffview Montessori School as an elementary school, which meant John could continue his education there after preschool for a number of years. 

Walken met his life partner, Bernadette Mahfood, in the 90’s. They made their home and worked together in Winona. They made art glass, and traveled to art fairs across the country. Both were pillars in the vibrant artistic community in Winona. Walken used his experience in construction to remodel their home and build a studio. 

Walken was an artist, a carpenter, a folk dancer, a spiritualist, an avid reader, a great partner, son, brother, father, and a fierce friend. He was a free thinker and didn’t fit in a box, nor did he want to (which is probably why he was cremated). Walken traveled and lived many lifetimes in his 80 years. He was spiritual, but not religious. He was a true conversationalist, always open minded and able to listen. 

In the end, Walken greeted his transition on February 15, 2025 as an old friend. He was at peace and ready to know what comes next. When he passed he was surrounded by light and love. 

We’d like to thank all of the wonderful people who made Walken’s life richer, including his lifelong friends, especially Michael and Barbara Hassing, his family, and the staff at St. Croix Hospice and St. Anne’s Health Care. 

A celebration of life will be held for Walken at 1 PM on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Winona Arts Center, 228 East 5th Street, Winona. 

May his light connect to the light in all who knew him. “Shine on.”