Obituary for Jacqueline Marie Lacek
Born December 31, 1925, our Mom died on October 11, 2022, at Seasons of Life Hospice House, Woodruff, WI, surrounded by her family. She spent her last day on Earth lying by a favorite window with the warm October sun streaming through and full-color maple, aspen, and oak trees lighting up the skyline.
Jackie is survived by her son Mark, wife Susan, and grandkids Emmy, Ally, and Faith (deceased); daughter Mary Ann Colasacco, husband Jim and grandchildren Jason and Erin (Mickey); son Kevin, wife Nancee and grandchildren Miles and Griffin (Hannah); daughter Karen Groves, husband Tim, and grandchildren Trevor (Amanda), Kendra and Hunter, and brothers, Ed and Patrick Alvey, plus many relatives, friends, and caretakers whom she loved dearly.
Preceded in death by her husband, Emil Lacek; her parents, Frank and Anna Alvey; and her brothers, Frank and Ray Alvey.
Jackie (as she was known to all) grew up in the Mercer and Manitowish area. She attended Mercer Public School and then left Mercer to work in Wausau at an insurance agency and a paper mill. After a whirlwind courtship of seven years with the dashing Emil Lacek, they married on October 8, 1955. Four children arrived within six years. Jackie and Emil raised the kids in the home they built on Grand Portage Lake.
Jackie was renowned in Mercer for her Memorial Day fish fries. Dad would slay walleyes, and Mom would spend the day cooking the fish in her little Fry Daddy - then serving it up with her signature potato salad. Her record was serving 144 people in one day.
Jackie worked at home as an entrepreneur long before it was the cool thing to do. She did sewing alterations, ironed clothes for a girl’s camp, cleaned homes, and styled hair all while being a great wife and mom.
When all those kids finally went to school, Mom got a “real” job at Brandt’s Red Owl. In her trademark red smock, she performed many roles: clerk, custodian, butcher, and bookkeeper. Once she retired, she then worked cleaning rooms at the Great Northern Motel.
Her work ethic and “get it done with no complaints” attitude was a benchmark for all. What was even more apparent was her wonderful way with people. She was genuinely interested in everyone and shared her caring, compassion, wit, humor, and sage advice with all. A friend magnet to the end, she loved and adored the many wonderful caregivers in both hospice programs. Our family will be forever grateful to those who treated her so lovingly and respectfully.
Mom was always our amazing sunshine from the moment we were born right to her last breath and, as her children, we won the golden ticket. Always there for us no matter what. Knitter, seamstress, creative spirit, and book lover who taught us all to love reading. Scout leader, school board member, host for years of water skiers, snowmobilers, and our friends. Everyone was always welcome in our home with Mom as hostess and forever taking care of all of us - related or not. No one with a bigger heart. Always wanting to help us and keep us on the right track every day of our lives whether we were down the hall or halfway around the world. Always worried about each of us and wanting the best lives possible for us and her grandkids. Our Dad’s best friend who together made a storybook couple and role models for us all. Now, Mom has left us but Dad gets his girlfriend back. Probably has a shore lunch and boat ready to take her to his new favorite fishing spot. We are so happy that they are together again. Mom, you will never know how much you mean to each of us and how much we love and respect you. A better role model could not be found as you taught us to be honest, ethical, respectful, helpful, and always curious – just like you. What a legacy you leave! Our unending goal is to be like you in so, so many ways. We will love you forever. Mark, Mary Ann, Kevin, and Karen
Service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with Mass beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will then occur at the Mercer Cemetery. All are then invited to a luncheon served at the Mercer Community Center. Mom insisted on having just one floral bouquet and politely asked that memorials be sent to Faith’s Lodge. 505 Hwy 169, Suite 245, Plymouth, MN 55441 or Seasons of Life Hospice, 8951 Woodruff Road, Woodruff, WI. 54568.
Jackie is survived by her son Mark, wife Susan, and grandkids Emmy, Ally, and Faith (deceased); daughter Mary Ann Colasacco, husband Jim and grandchildren Jason and Erin (Mickey); son Kevin, wife Nancee and grandchildren Miles and Griffin (Hannah); daughter Karen Groves, husband Tim, and grandchildren Trevor (Amanda), Kendra and Hunter, and brothers, Ed and Patrick Alvey, plus many relatives, friends, and caretakers whom she loved dearly.
Preceded in death by her husband, Emil Lacek; her parents, Frank and Anna Alvey; and her brothers, Frank and Ray Alvey.
Jackie (as she was known to all) grew up in the Mercer and Manitowish area. She attended Mercer Public School and then left Mercer to work in Wausau at an insurance agency and a paper mill. After a whirlwind courtship of seven years with the dashing Emil Lacek, they married on October 8, 1955. Four children arrived within six years. Jackie and Emil raised the kids in the home they built on Grand Portage Lake.
Jackie was renowned in Mercer for her Memorial Day fish fries. Dad would slay walleyes, and Mom would spend the day cooking the fish in her little Fry Daddy - then serving it up with her signature potato salad. Her record was serving 144 people in one day.
Jackie worked at home as an entrepreneur long before it was the cool thing to do. She did sewing alterations, ironed clothes for a girl’s camp, cleaned homes, and styled hair all while being a great wife and mom.
When all those kids finally went to school, Mom got a “real” job at Brandt’s Red Owl. In her trademark red smock, she performed many roles: clerk, custodian, butcher, and bookkeeper. Once she retired, she then worked cleaning rooms at the Great Northern Motel.
Her work ethic and “get it done with no complaints” attitude was a benchmark for all. What was even more apparent was her wonderful way with people. She was genuinely interested in everyone and shared her caring, compassion, wit, humor, and sage advice with all. A friend magnet to the end, she loved and adored the many wonderful caregivers in both hospice programs. Our family will be forever grateful to those who treated her so lovingly and respectfully.
Mom was always our amazing sunshine from the moment we were born right to her last breath and, as her children, we won the golden ticket. Always there for us no matter what. Knitter, seamstress, creative spirit, and book lover who taught us all to love reading. Scout leader, school board member, host for years of water skiers, snowmobilers, and our friends. Everyone was always welcome in our home with Mom as hostess and forever taking care of all of us - related or not. No one with a bigger heart. Always wanting to help us and keep us on the right track every day of our lives whether we were down the hall or halfway around the world. Always worried about each of us and wanting the best lives possible for us and her grandkids. Our Dad’s best friend who together made a storybook couple and role models for us all. Now, Mom has left us but Dad gets his girlfriend back. Probably has a shore lunch and boat ready to take her to his new favorite fishing spot. We are so happy that they are together again. Mom, you will never know how much you mean to each of us and how much we love and respect you. A better role model could not be found as you taught us to be honest, ethical, respectful, helpful, and always curious – just like you. What a legacy you leave! Our unending goal is to be like you in so, so many ways. We will love you forever. Mark, Mary Ann, Kevin, and Karen
Service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with Mass beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will then occur at the Mercer Cemetery. All are then invited to a luncheon served at the Mercer Community Center. Mom insisted on having just one floral bouquet and politely asked that memorials be sent to Faith’s Lodge. 505 Hwy 169, Suite 245, Plymouth, MN 55441 or Seasons of Life Hospice, 8951 Woodruff Road, Woodruff, WI. 54568.