Fabian "Buck" Stachowiak

Fabian T. “Buck” Stachowiak

WAUSAU -- On May 5, 2021, Fabian “Buck” Stachowiak, 91, of Wausau, died peacefully at Mount View Care Center in the Gardenside Crossing hospice following a long illness. His wife was at his side.

Buck was born December 19, 1929, in Wausau. He was an avid baseball fan and played as a third baseman through high school where he bragged that he never once made an error. After high school, his talents took him to the minor leagues.  He was a lifelong Cubs fan, as he and his father would listen to the Chicago Cubs games together on the radio. He enjoyed the Brewers but his heart always stayed with the team that his father introduced him to at a young age.

Buck married Dolores Jakubowski in 1951.  Together they raised four sons. They were married for 48 years until Dolores passed in 1999.

In 2001, Buck married Mary Knippel of Wausau. They met through their mutual attendance at Catholic masses.

At the age of 18 Buck, was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served two years in Korea as a mess sergeant.  When Buck returned home, he often served as the family’s primary cook. According to his sons, some dishes were better than others. In 1965, Buck opened the Riverview Drive-In on 6th Street as a summer business.

Buck found a successful career as a salesman for the former Indianapolis Life Insurance Co. He was a district agent where he earned accolades as Man of the Year, Application a Week Club, Blue Vase Award, and many other awards reflecting his outstanding sales records. He was awarded many family vacations from his employer because of his success in the field.

Buck liked visiting casinos where he played a mean hand of poker. He also found enjoyment listening to polka music and spent summers at church picnics dancing with Mary. He loved travelling and was always planning where he and Mary would cruise to next. He became an Elite Member on Princess Cruise Lines because of his frequent travels and he loved the cruise ship’s buffets.

Buck is survived by his wife of 20 years, Mary Stachowiak (Knippel) of Wausau; sons Fabian (Mary) Stachowiak, Stettin; Michael Stachowiak, West Jordan, Utah; Scott Stachowiak (Kevin Kraus), Long Island City, N.Y.; stepchildren Bob Knippel, Wausau; Kathy Froehlich (Randy), Rib Mountain; Ann (Gary) LaPorte, Kronenwetter; Joe Knippel (Sherry Lynn) Wausau; Monica (Andy) Lukas, Brookfield; and Laura Sherman, Watertown.  He also is survived by his grandchildren Crystal (Gary) Greicar, Grafton; Melissa (Brad) Van Zeeland, Freedom; Mark Stachowiak, Boise, Idaho, Amanda Stachowiak, Wausau; Sara Stuplich, Wausau; many step grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and sister Mary Ann Weinberger, Appleton.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores and his son Mark.

The family would like to express their overwhelming gratitude for the excellent and loving care that Buck received when they were finally unable to continue doing so on their own. The entire staff at both Golden Age Nursing Home in Tomahawk and Mount View Gardenside Crossing Unit in Wausau provided superior care for Buck as he neared the end of his life and the family is eternally grateful for the compassionate care that they were able to provide.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 10:30 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Wausau, with Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce presiding. Visitation will be Monday, May 10, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 N. 6th Street, Wausau and again on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. The service will be live streamed on the Peterson/Kraemer Facebook page and will be available for later viewing on the website.

Donations may be made in memory of Buck to the Alzheimer’s Association:  act.alz.org

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com