Richard Nowak

Richard Nowak was so special to so many. We never parted without a hug and a kiss from him. Dad knew how precious life was and taught us well.
Dick was a musician most of his life. He started as a child with a mandolin behind the wood pile. Shy as can be, he blossomed and, at 17, played the accordion at the Grand Ol' Opry with the talents of Jimmy Dickens and Ernest Tubb. He lugged his accordion and Hammond organ all over central Wisconsin with the Dick Nowak Combo.

Dick was born August 21, 1937, in Wausau to the late Frank and Agnes (Kowalewski) Nowak.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Carol Genrich, on May 17, 1958, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Wausau. They wove a rich life of love, family, and friends.

Dick worked 25 years in sales for Proctor & Gamble. He retired early and moved to Harrison Hills on Long Lake with Carol where he took pride in building and remodeling his dream cottage with the help of his family. He enjoyed playing "project manager" for the extensive honey-do list that goes along with living in the Heart of God's Country. He loved to be part of the fix-it crew. Dick served multiple offices with the Long and Bass Lake Association and took his responsibilities of water quality testing for the DNR seriously.

Dick wrote a weekly article titled "From The Heart of God's Country" for the Merrill Courier and shared his Harrison Hills retired life. He regularly spoke of his passions: family, home, country, and God.

At the age of 79, Dick passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

He is survived by his wife Carol, the love of his life, Sheri Jehn (Jim) of Weston, Buffy Shampo (Ron) of Wausau, daughter-in-law Cheryl Nowak of Wausau, beloved grandchildren, Justin Jehn (Heather) of West Salem, WI, Eric Jehn (Kally) of Weston, Travis Nowak of Wausau, Whitney Lewis (Bill) of Wausau, Kaylin Shampo of Madison and Kyle Shampo of Milwaukee, great-grandchildren, Addison, Peyton, and Parker Jehn, Brian, Keara, Ayden, and Lindon Scott Lewis; brothers, Corky Nowak (Shirley), Bob Nowak, brother-in-law Bob Genrich, and sister-in-law Joanne Genrich all of Wausau, and his dog Snickers.

He is further preceded in death by his son, Scott who was his best buddy, brother-in-law, Jerry Genrich and sister-in-law, Evie Nowak.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St., Schofield. Reverend Ray Connor will officiate. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce Street, Wausau and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. You may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.