Lantern Lit on 9/16/14-9/22/14 for Traci Rataczak

A former Wyocena man was arrested Thursday afternoon and faces a homicide charge in the April 2013 death of his girlfriend at their Wyocena home.

Patrick Kraemer, 46, was taken into custody in Madison by an agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Kraember is the suspect in the death of Traci Rataczak of Wyocena, who died April 6, 2013, at the home she shared with Kraemer.

A charge of first-degree intentional homicide as domestic abuse was filed Thursday afternoon in Columbia county Circuit Court. The charge carries a penalty of life in prison.

Kraemer is expected to appear Monday in court on the charge.

A possible motive, hinted at in a criminal complaint filed Thursday afternoon, was the Rataczak spoke with friends about leaving her relationship with Kraemer prior to her death. Witnesses referred to violent or abusive arguments between the couple.

Anyone with information on the case should contact Det. Sgt. Greg Bisch at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office at 608-742-4166 x3315.

Callers may also call Columbia County Crime Stoppers at 800-293-8477; tips can be submitted via email or text by visiting www.co.columbia.wi.us or by texting the word "CRIMES" (274637) with the keyword "TIPCOSO." Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain annonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward.

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Traci Lynn Rataczak, 43, died on Monday, April 8, 2013, in her home. She was born on Dec. 2, 1969, in Portage to Lawrence and Bonnie Kranz Rataczak. 

Traci had a large heart for everyone around her. She loved to create memories through the many photos that she took and enjoyed cooking and making meals out of nothing. Traci loved animals, and had an especially huge heart for her dog, Mugsey. She enjoyed being outdoors, walking and yard work, and her greatest accomplishment was raising her three children, who she was always proud of.

Survivors include her children, Rex Griepentrog, Jamie (friend Brandon Herman) Griepentrog and Michael Griepentrog, all of Pardeeville; special friend Patrick Kraemer of Wyocena; loving father of her children, Mike Griepentrog of Pardeeville; father, Lawrence (Kay) Rataczak of Endeavor; mother, Bonnie (Mickey) McMahon of Wisconsin Dells; siblings, Lisa Procknow of Adams, Tammy (Carey) John of Montello, Tonia (Ron Rothweil) Rataczak of St. Louis, Kenny Cross of Rio, Shane McMahon of Wisconsin Dells, Cheyenne McMahon of Wisconsin Dells, Myron (Lynn) McMahon of Waterloo, Sonya Jessburger of Waterloo and Kelly McMahon of Dulwitchhill, Australia. She was preceded in death by grandparents Doris and Carl Kranz and Russ and Arlene Rataczak and stepsisters Monica, Lisa and Kimberly McMahon.

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