Robert Blazek

Robert “Bob” Blazek, age 89, of Spruce, passed away Friday, March 10th at Meadowbrook Nursing Home in Oconto Falls with family by his side.

He was born in the Town of Spruce, son of the late Antone and Lucille (Phillips) Blazek. He graduated from Oconto Falls with the class of ‘51. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1953 - 1957. In 1958, Robert married Vivian Pelishek and spent their entire marriage living in Spruce. He worked 32 years for the Oconto County Highway Department, where he was a mechanic and shop foreman. Bob and his wife also ran a bait shop for many years.

Bob enjoyed many things that involved the outdoors. For many years, Bob would go up to Canada and fish with his family and friends. The thing he enjoyed most was teaching his granddaughters how to fish. Bob also enjoyed trapping fox, hunting, and working on his garden during the summer months.

He would spend most of his days puttering in his shop, fixing machinery, and woodworking. He also played baseball in his early years until adulthood.

In his later years, he enjoyed watching the Brewers and even got to go see them play in person. Bob enjoyed looking at pictures of his Air Force days and frequently talked about it. He enjoyed going to his Air Force reunions to see old friends. Bob was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion Doney Dugrave post 342. But his most favorite past-time was spending time with his grandkids.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vivian; His 2 sons: Sam Blazek of Spruce and Eric (Paula) Blazek of Lena; 4 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Nick) Saari, Holly (Tyler) Marquardt, Morgan (boyfriend Mason) Blazek, and Luke Blazek; 1 great-grandchild: Levi Saari and 1 on the way; 1 brother: Antone “Tony” Jr.; 2 sisters: Patsy Swenty and Connie (Ed) Stodola; 2 sister-in-laws: Rose Decleene and Orianne Swim; 1 brother-in-law Walter (Cleo) Pelishek. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by 2 sisters and 2 brother-in-laws: Delores (Gene) Rice and Shirley (John) Oleck; 1 brother: William “Bill” Blazek; 3 brother-in-laws: Leroy Swenty, Tony Decleene and LeRoy Swim and his in-laws: Henry and Martha Pelishek.

The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Lena on Wednesday, March 15th from 9-11AM. The Funeral Mass is at 11AM with Father Nonito Barra and Deacon Peter Gard officiating. Bob will be laid to rest at St. Charles Cemetery at a later date. Rhodes Charapata Funeral Home of Lena is assisting the family with arrangements.