Richard J. Govek

Richard “Rich” or “Dick” Joseph Govek, age 87, of Grafton, WI, passed away from this earthly life on Monday, November, 22, 2021. He was born June 11, 1934, in Sheboygan, the second son to Joseph and Josephine Govek. He attended grade school at St. Cyril and Methodius. It was there in 3rd grade when he met the girl who would later become his wife. He spent happy summer days helping at his grandparents’ farms. At 16 he got a job as a soda jerk at a local drugstore. He also worked at a mink ranch in Sheboygan Falls that was run by the same family. Rich graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1952. After high school, Rich moved to Milwaukee and started working nights for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where he was a Security Patrol Clerk. He attended Marquette University during the day at this time as well. Richard married the love of his life, Dorothy “Dorie” Ognacevich, on October 20, 1956, at St. Cyril and Methodius in Sheboygan. They were married for 64 years until her death in 2020. Rich was drafted into the U.S. Army on March 9, 1957, and was shipped to Germany in September 1957 until his return in 1959. He was then transferred to the Army Reserve for one year of inactive duty. Upon his return, Rich continued working at the FBI until 1962 when he began working for the Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WEPCO) in Milwaukee and later Pewaukee where he stayed until his retirement in 1994. Rich moved his family out of Milwaukee to the small village of Grafton in 1968 and remained there for the rest of his life. Richard was involved with Boy Scouts for many years. He enjoyed family camping, favoring state parks. Once empty nesters, a camper trailer replaced the tent. Richard was a wonderful dancer (polka, waltz, square-dancing). He loved music and had a large album/CD collection, spanning decades of country, folk, gospel, polka and Slovenian tunes. Richard was an active servant of Christ, volunteering at the parishes he belonged to over the years; St. Elizabeth, Mother of Perpetual Help, Holy Redeemer, and St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a lector, Eucharistic Minister, parish council member, and leader of bible studies. He was ordained a deacon on June 13, 1992, and retired in 2009. He ministered to inmates in the Ozaukee County Jail. Parishioners of St. Joseph knew him as Deacon Dick. His love of God was evident. He wanted others to know Jesus so he shared his love of God to anyone who took the time to listen. Richard loved his family deeply and wanted them all to know it every time they met. He was a lifelong connector with all of his cousins living in Wisconsin as well as around the U.S. When he met people or visited with others, he genuinely took an interest in knowing how they were doing. He made it a habit to introduce folks so no one would feel like a stranger. He never wanted to miss a family event because it brought him such joy. He cheered on his own children and then his grandchildren at their sporting events. Richard was a son, nephew, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, friend, Christian, advisor, helper, leader, neighbor, who will be greatly missed. Richard is survived by his seven children; Elizabeth (Rollin) Kring of West Bend, Margaret (Ronald) Wollner of Cottage Grove, Andrew (Margaret) Govek of Grafton, Richard (Carrie) Govek of Verona, Edward (Janice) Govek of Grafton, Amy (Rick) Green of Germantown and Joanne (Kraig) Sadownikow of West Bend; grandchildren: Shaun (Erica) Kring, Justin (Heather) Kring, Katie Kring; Jacob, Hannah and Olivia Wollner; Alexandra, Danielle, Joshua and Benjamin (Alicia); Mary, Alaina, Melissa Govek, Max and Vivienne Metcalf; Grace and Ava Govek; Samuel, Adalyn (Colin) Feilbach, Emma and Lillian Green; Marianna, Isabel, Veronica and Ruth Sadownikow, great grandchildren: Ella, Eli, Ethan and Nolan Kring. He is further survived by his sister-in-law Josephine Govek, brother Paul (Ann) Govek, sister Veronica (Raymond) Schneider and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joseph and his beloved wife Dorothy. The family would like to thank staff at Village Pointe Commons and Allay Hospice for their loving care and services. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1619 Washington St. Grafton, WI, at 11:00 am, on Saturday, November 27, 2021. Visitation at the church will begin at 9:00 am until the start of mass. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Grafton. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. To view the Richard Govek Mass of Christian Burial please click on the following link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpDv_EQLHlk