Chester C. ¨Chet¨ Nowak, age 89, of Madison, formerly of Fennimore, passed away on Tuesday June 9th, 2020 at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg. Chet was born on January 10, 1931 to Frank and Anna (Torksdorf) Nowak on the family farm in rural Shawano County. Chet was the youngest of eight children.
Chet’s education began at a grade school in Angelica, which he attended through the 8th grade. He then attended Pulaski High School and graduated in 1948. After high school, he went to U.W. Milwaukee for one year before transferring to U.W. Platteville to study Vocational Agriculture. He graduated in 1952 with a B.S. Degree.
Chet eventually returned to U.W. Platteville in 1973 to complete his Masters Degree in Agriculture.
Chet proudly entered the U.S. military serving his country during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955 working as a helicopter maintenance crew chief in Alaska.
After leaving service, Chet married Joan Gordon on August 13, 1955. Together, they had four children: Eileen, Gary, Janice and Susan.
Chet pursued a career in agriculture. He taught agriculture in Fall River for two years, Amherst for eight years, Appleton for one year, and finishing his career at Southwest Technical College in Fennimore, Wisconsin. There he became Dean of Trades and Industry until he retired in 1990. Chet also started Fennimore Agri Systems in 1972 where he sold and serviced grain bins and accessories for over 15 years. He employed many people over the years from the Fennimore area and won several awards.
His marriage to Joan ended on September 22, 1992 when she passed away due to an illness. Chet later met Jacqueline Miller and on November 26, 1994, they united in marriage. They made their home in Madison during the summer and resided in Florida during the winters.
Chet’s life-long love of music began at Pulaski High School where he learned to play trumpet. In college, he continued with his music playing first chair in the U.W. Platteville band. He played in numerous bands throughout his life. He loved playing trumpet so much that he played in nursing homes, played patriotic songs on the 4th of July, and played for his family on special occasions.
Family was very important to Chet. He made a priority to attend all family birthday parties, weddings, baptisms, and funerals. He even attended every Pulaski High School class of ‘48 reunion through 2019. He kept track of old friends while making new friends throughout his life.
Chet will be remembered for his large and infectious smile, his love of family, and his great love of music. He enjoyed listening to and playing big band music and polkas. Chet was a huge packers fan, (GO PACK GO), and looked forward to watching every game.
Chet will be missed by his wife Jacqueline Miller, Madison; four children, Eileen (Glenn) Dillard of Stoughton; Gary (Laurie) Nowak of Eau Claire; Janice (Mike) Kelley of Fennimore; Susan (Chris) Romine of Fennimore; eight grandchildren, Andrew (Kim) Dillard, Abby (Andrew) Waldron, Tayler Nowak, Garrett Nowak, Michael (Erika) Kelley, Stacy (Zach) Reynolds, Heather (Jay) Eastridge, Logan (Devin) Romine; and nine great grandchildren (with another on the way); four step children, Prentice (Doris) Berge of Madison, Christopher Berge of Madison, Finn (Erin) Berge of Middleton, Bowe (Megan) Berge of Madison, and seven step grandchildren, Piper Berge, Taliesin Berge, Amaya Berge, Venden Berge, Carina Berge, Astrid Berge, and Gisele Berge, sister-in-law Mayme Nowak of Bonduel, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Chet was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Joan, three brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services officiated by Father Tom Kelley will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the church cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore. A celebration of life honoring Chet will be held after the funeral at Hickory Grove Golf Course in Fennimore. In lieu of plants and flowers, a scholarship fund is being established in loving memory of Chester C. “Chet” Nowak. Checks may be made out to the “Family of Chet Nowak”. Memorials may be sent here to the funeral home at 925 10th St. Fennimore, WI 53809.