Obit: Chapek, Richard J. (1935 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Chapek, Kellenberger, Terman, Walters

----Source: The Cornell Courier - Sentinel (Cornell, WI) 11/25/2018

Chapek, Richard “Dick” J. (12 JUN 1935 - 15 NOV 2018)

Richard “Dick” J. Chapek died peacefully, with his family at his side, at Luther-Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire, Nov. 15, 2018, at the age of 83, following a brief, but fierce, battle with cancer.

Dick was born June 12, 1935, at home in Cadott, to Joseph “Joe” and Margaret Chapek.
He graduated from Cadott High School in 1953, and entered the Army. He returned from the military and married Vonnie, the love of his life in 1956.

Dick and Vonnie managed a successful dairy farm, building one of the first milking parlors in Wisconsin, in 1960. Dick and his brother, Thomas “Tom,” opened Panther Sales and Service, and continued to sell Arctic Cat snowmobiles until 1979, where he met many customers who became lifelong friends.

He became a partner in the acquisition of Crescent Bar and Tavern in 1978, and opened a hardware store in that location. They sold the farm in 1990, and moved to Cadott, where Dick worked in the Cadott School system as a maintenance man until his retirement in 2011.
Dick was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, four-wheeling and snowmobiling. He was very active in the development of the CrossCut Snowmobile Club and spent hours marking trails.

He loved spending time with his family and friends at the family cabin in Seeley. Dick also had a love of all types of music, from classical to country, attending Country Fest for 25 years.
His love of Christmas was evident on the farm, where each year, he would crawl to the top of the 90-foot silo to place a lighted star at the top. In later years, many could say they have enjoyed his private bar and came to see the animated Christmas houses built by Dick, Vonnie and Joe.

Dick will be greatly missed and remembered for his witty sense of humor, and his overall love of his family, friends and life.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years – Vonnie (Reali) Chapek; their children – Renee Chapek (Shari Walters), Rick (Rhonda) Chapek, Joe Chapek, Shelly Chapek and Tamara “Tammy” (Steve) Terman; Renee’s children – Lauren and Jordan Walters; Rick’s children – Nathan (Amber) Chapek, Natasha (Andrew) Kellenberger and Nariah (Breana) Chapek; and Tammy’s children – Ella and Ethan Terman; great-grandchildren – Teryn, Braeden, Ashtyn, Sawyer, Henry, Nora and Porter.

He was preceded in death by parents – Margaret and Joseph Chapek; and brother – Thomas Chapek.

Visitation is Tuesday, Nov. 20, from 4-9 p.m., at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott. A memorial service begins at 8 p.m.

The family would to thank the Marshfield Cancer Clinic and the Mayo-Luther Critical Care Unit.