CARY R. KACZOR

CARY R. KACZOR

     Cary Richard Kaczor, 74, of Neillsville passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer at the House of the Dove in Marshfield Oct. 25, 2025. He was born Jan. 17, 1951, in Milwaukee to John and Donnalean Kaczor. In 1952, the family moved to Neillsville where his parents farmed. Cary attended River Side, Meadow View and Pine View Schools for grades one through eight. 

     Cary learned responsibility at an early age and had a kind heart. He helped with farm chores and had a great work ethic. He milked cows, fed the animals and learned to handle the farm equipment. Cary earned spending money by cutting jack pine for pulp, peeling poplar trees and picking pickles. One of Cary’s vivid memories was in 1967 when the family’s barn burned. He spent the summer skidding logs, and they had a lumber mill come and saw all the lumber they needed to build the new barn. 

     Cary attended Neillsville High School where he was on the varsity wrestling team. He graduated in 1969. After graduation, Cary worked at Echo Products in Wheeling, IL, as a machine operator. He was drafted in 1971, reported for basic training at Ft. Lewis, WA, and was deployed to Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam as a truck driver, delivering heavy supplies, equipment and ammunition in daily conveys. Cary was discharged April 5, 1972, and he returned to Echo Products in Wheeling IL, where he worked as a lead, troubleshooting all the machines on the line.

     In 1979, Cary and his brother Dan took over the family farm where they farmed for 40 years. Cary loved the land, going to auctions and caring for the animals especially the calves. In his early years, he and his brother were on local bowling and pool teams. He loved following sports, mainly the Packers, Badgers, Brewers and the local high school teams. After retirement, he started gardening. He loved giving his produce to his neighbors, family and friends. He even tried his hand at baking, but decided he would leave that to his sisters. He enjoyed meeting friends for coffee and was known for bringing treats. He enjoyed playing Canasta and Sheepshead with his friends at the Legion. He looked forward to deer hunting season and sharing the hunting stories with his nephews and the home cooking.  

     Cary is survived by two sisters, Julie (Timothy) Smith of Holmen and Darla (Paul) Lang of Marshfield; and eight nieces and nephews, Erick Smith of Holmen, Philip Smith of Holmen, Matthew (Tara Zaiya) Lang of Marshfield, Elizabeth (Dustin) Heeg of Marshfield, Bryce (Jaime) Kaczor of Waukesha, Adam Kaczor, Kelly Kaczor and Dale (Nancy) Kaczor, all of Marshfield; and four stepbrothers, Eugene Zschernitz of  Algonquin, IL, Jimmy Zschernitz of Neillsville, Dennis Zschernitz of Lower Lake, CA and Todd Zschernitz of Neillsville; great-nieces Zeva Smith, Bree Lang,  Anna Lang, Indie Zorn; great-nephews Devon Smith, Nolan Lang, Dextin Lang, Carter Zaiya, Nicholas Zorn, Aydan Kaczor, Ethan Kaczor and Elijah Kaczor and many cousins.

     Cary was preceded in death by his parents, John Kaczor and Donnalean Kaczor; stepmother Mildred Zschernitz; brother Daniel Kaczor; and great-niece Scarlett Zorn.

     Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1813 Black River Rd, Neillsville, WI. Burial with military honors will be at Corpus Christi Church Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of services.

     Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

     The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Cary’s family with funeral arrangements.