Yvonne “Vonnie” M. Chapek
Yvonne “Vonnie” M. Chapek died peacefully, with her family at her side, at her home in Cadott, Sunday, April 6, at the age of 87, following a brief, but fierce battle with cancer.
Vonnie was born Feb. 18, 1938, at home in Cornell, to Clara and Joe Reali.
She graduated from Cornell High School in 1956.
Vonnie worked at Rural Electric in Cornell.
She married Richard “Dick” Chapek, the love of her life, Sept. 29, 1956.
Together, with Dick, they managed a successful dairy farm, building one of the first milking parlors in Wisconsin, in 1960, and milking 120 cows. Together, with brother-in-law Tom Chapek, in 1969, they opened Panther Sales and Service, and continued to sell Arctic Cat snowmobiles until 1979.
Vonnie kept the books and also participated in sales, where they met many customers who became lifelong friends. Vonnie and Dick became partners in the acquisition of Crescent Bar in 1978, and opened a hardware store in this location.
Through these years, you could find Vonnie on the farm, either cooking, driving tractor or milking cows, and sometimes, tending bar and all the while, being the most wonderful mom one could ask for. They sold the farm in 1990, and moved to Cadott.
During those years, Vonnie worked at the Cadott Sentinel, Northwestern Motors and JLH Enterprises.
Vonnie loved gardening, enjoyed many musicals with her sister and daughters, and sang for many years in the St. John’s choir. She was able to take a cruise down the coast of Italy, in 2022, with her family.
One of her greatest joys, was the gathering of the ever growing family and preparing the holiday meal. Vonnie had a love for all types of music, from classical to country, attending Country Fest for 25 years.
Together, with Dick, their love of Christmas was evident, where their home displays and gatherings were enjoyed by many.
She was an avid sports fan, preferring to watch her beloved Packers, Badgers or Brewers over anything else.
Vonnie will be remembered for her kindness to all, her witty sense of humor and her tremendous love of her family, friends and life.
She is survived by her brother – Daniel Reali; her children – Renee Chapek (Shari Walters), Rick (Rhonda) Chapek, Joe Chapek (Sandy Zimmerman), Shelly Chapek and Tamara (Steve) Terman; grandchildren – Lauren and Jordan Walters, children of Renee, Nathan (Amber) Chapek, Natasha (Andrew) Kellenberger and Nariah (Breana) Chapek, children of Rick, and Ella and Ethan Terman, children of Tammy; great-grandchildren – Teryn, Braedan, Sawyer, Henry, Nora, Livia, Charles, Ashytn, Porter and Lennon; and great-great grandchildren – Crosby and Seeley.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years – Richard “Dick” Chapek; parents – Clara (Vern) Bell and Joseph (Sandy) Reali; and sister – Mary Lou (Jim) Stordahl.
Visitation is Saturday, May 3, from noon to 3 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 3 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cadott. A celebration of life will follow at Halfway Bar, at 5 p.m.
A private family inurnment will be at the Cornell Cemetery, at a later date.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Mysti Gouge, mom’s in-home caregiver, and Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire and Bloomer.
Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Cadott, is assisting the family.
