Kenneth "Ken" Dvorak

Kenneth “Ken” Dean Dvorak passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Copperleaf Memory Care, Schofield, WI.

Ken was born May 21, 1943, in Wausau to the late Rudy and Lillian (Kocian) Dvorak.  He married his next-door neighbor and childhood sweetheart, the late Margaret “Peggy” (Riste) Dvorak on October 12, 1963, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Wausau.  They cherished nearly 47 years of marriage until Peggy’s passing in 2010.

Ken worked his entire 45+ year career at “the gas company” (WPS, formerly Wisconsin Fuel & Light), but devoted much of his life to his wife, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchild, family, neighbors and friends.  His other greatest joy was “lake-life” at his home of over 50 years on Lake Wausau, where he always shared a warm greeting (and a good joke!) and where an ice-cold beer/beverage was quickly placed in your hand.  Whether it was swimming, boating, golf ball hunting, bobber hunting, telescoping (he has seen it all!), manicuring his yard/house or simply sitting on his deck and waving at the boats going-by – THIS was Ken’s Happy Place.

And when he wasn’t at the lake, Ken was usually (1) at a grandkid’s sporting event, (2) in the woods hunting or cutting firewood, (3) at a good Friday fish fry, (4) on an open road with his Harley and friends or (5) browsing a garage sale in his prized red truck.  He always loved a “good deal” --whether he needed the item or not!  Ken also enjoyed a good “road trip” to catch that extra-special deal --logging many miles and riding shotgun with son-in-law, Bruce.  And when the weather turned cold, Ken and Peggy migrated to warmer Florida with Cork and Jerry during many winter months.

Ken volunteered through Big Brothers/Big Sisters and enjoyed mentoring youth, friends and family throughout the years on how to hunt, respect others, yet stand-up for yourself, negotiate a deal, laugh … and simply enjoy life!  After retirement, Ken also volunteered many hours at the Wausau Eagles Club, including leading the pancake breakfasts and keeping the place bright and clean.

We are incredibly saddened by this loss, but we know Ken truly lived a great life and his renewed faith has placed him in the arms of Jesus and his loved ones in heaven.

Survivors include his daughters Wendy (Bruce) Czech, Wausau, and Tracy Nelson, Weston; his grandchildren, Kyle (Mona) Czech, Katie (Kyle) Platteter, Calli (Anthony) Catanese, Taylor Nelson and Morgan Milanowski; a great-grandchild, Luka Dean Platteter; a brother, Jim (Maggie) Dvorak and sisters-in-law, Corky Dvorak and Marie (Jim) Humes.  Ken was also very fortunate to find love and share the past 11 years with his dear companion, Fran Landrath.

Besides his wife, Peggy, and his parents, Ken was preceded in death by brothers Jerry Dvorak and Ronnie Dvorak, parents-in-law, Sid and Rose Riste, brother and sisters-in-law, Stan and Lorraine Riste, Dick and Tuttie Riste and Joyce and Duane Schmieden.

A special thank you to Pastor Lance for being “the blessed rock” for Ken and his family; to Fran Landrath for filling his later years with love, companionship and ongoing independence; and to the staff at Copperleaf Memory Care, Aspirus Palliative Care and Hospice Care for providing Ken with such great care.