1946-2024
John W. Dolezalek, age 78, of Rib Lake, passed away very suddenly but peacefully in his home on Saturday, March 9, 2024. John was born on March 4, 1946, in Phillips, to the late John and Phyllis (Tadin) Dolezalek. John grew up in Rib Lake and loved his town. He played high school basketball and baseball, worked with the village crew during the summer, and helped maintain the lake by cutting weeds. While attending UW-Eau Claire, he was part of the Men’s Glee Club, the Singing States-men. At a time when there were only two pizza places in Eau Claire, he and his brother, Ron, started Doozal’s Delivery, a thriving pizza-delivery business. In Eau Claire, he met the love of his life, Rachel Hoefs, who he saw across the room at a party and knew he had to date. They married on June 15, 1974, and made their home in Rib Lake, cherishing their lake view, smalltown life, and their three children.
John took over his father’s electrical business and worked as an electrician for several years. He then purchased and operated Cor-Dus Mfg. in Medford during the early 80s. He also bought and sold cars in the Wausau area until his retirement in 2008. John was a successful electrician and salesman, but his true calling was comedy. He LOVED making people smile and was always thinking of jokes or dressing up in something to get people laughing. Once at a Christmas family gathering, he secretly devised matching elf costumes for his grandson Luca and himself. John particularly loved to entertain his coffee buddies. They often waited to see what he would come up with to wear for St. Patrick’s Day or what antic he would play on someone in the group. He scouted out garage sales for “gag gifts” to give someone who would get a kick out of the perfectly-selected item.
John loved people; he never knew a stranger. If he was sitting in a waiting room, he would greet the other people waiting there and ask about them. If he was sitting in a restaurant, he’d smile and engage the people at the next table, often getting them to laugh. He teased waitresses and store clerks and enjoyed their smiles.
John loved and was especially proud of his children and grandchildren and he told them so frequently. He constantly was thinking of little toys he could give them–from Matchbox Cars to water guns. John was at his best when playing a dice game or teasing them.
Over 20 years, what started out as a small get-together to celebrate the Fourth of July, grew into a party with props, game-show skits, and commercials for over 60 guests. Each year friends and family eagerly waited to see what entertainment John created.
One reason John loved spring the best was because of all the returning birds. He enjoyed hearing their calls, watching them nest, and seeing the babies hatch. For the last several years, he watched a pair of Mallards, aptly named Daisy and Donald, waddle up from the lake with their ducklings, cross the street, and eat on the grass just below the living room window. This spring he bought an incubator and was working with a friend who planned to hatch quail.
John also loved his Woodland Church family. Everyone looked forward to the Sundays he greeted people because he often wore a silly sign or had a prop to welcome them as they walked through the door. His biggest concern was that his family and friends would have a close relationship with Jesus and prayed about this often.
John will be dearly missed by his wife, Rachel, of Rib Lake; his three children, Corey (Thaddeus) Neururer of Medina, Ohio, Dustin (Molly) Dolezalek, of Madison, and Dana (Andrew) Dilling of DePere; his seven adored grandchildren, Avery and Alivia Neururer, Ava, Luca, and Adam Dolezalek, and Jack and Max Dilling; his brother, Ronald (friend Mary), of Ringle; and his sister, Debra Dolezalek, of Plover. He is further survived by his nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Phyllis; and a young sister, Phyllis.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Woodland Community Church, N8609 Business Highway 13, Westboro, WI. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the church, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and again on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, which will be designated at a later date, may be given to honor John. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory of Tomahawk is assisting the family.
Paid Obituary 149982
