Anthony "Tony" Turicek

Anthony “Tony” Vincent Turicek was born into this world on July 2, 1934, and transitioned into eternal life early on August 1, 2023. He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Dagmar “Dottie” or “Dasa” Turicek; three children and their spouses: Sandy (Turicek) and Steve Pernecky, Pam (Turicek) and Bob Chojnacki, and Daryl Turicek and Holly Doggett; four grandchildren: Nicholas “Nick” and wife Broghan Turicek, Grace Pernecky, Joseph Pernecky, and Andrea Chojnacki. Tony is also survived by sisters Joane “Pep” Stachowiak and Helen Pass, as well as brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tony grew up on his family’s farm in Phillips, Wisconsin. He joined the National Guard and then the U.S. Army, where he served as a cook. As a young man, he worked construction jobs, including Samson the Gorilla’s dwelling at the Milwaukee Zoo, and then he took up the trade of meat cutting, mostly for Sentry Foods, for the next 45 years. He had a strong work ethic and sense of discipline; in his entire career, he took only 3 sick days. He did not completely retire until his 82nd birthday and continued to take care of business at home until the end, an early-riser who always started off his day with purpose.

Tony showed his love by providing for his family. Even on his last day, he drove to get groceries and make dinner. He was a dedicated baker, making traditional Czech houska and kolache on a regular basis. He appreciated a kind word, a good deed, and a well-kept lawn. He enjoyed “shootin’ the bull” with family, friends, and neighbors. He had a great sense of humor, telling jokes and stories while holding a travel mug of coffee and wearing an unbuttoned flannel, t-shirt, and a slightly tilted baseball cap. He kept in touch with family through visits, phone calls, weekly dinnertime Zoom chats, and the regular Turicek brunch.

Inspired by visits to Czech Fest in Phillips, WI, he planted his favorite flowers, the lupine at his home. One of his favorite birds was the Baltimore Oriole, and he would set out grape jelly for them regularly in the spring. His favorite types of music were old country and polka. One of his favorite weekly TV programs was “Polka Polka Polka,” which he hooked some of his loved ones on as well. He built a brilliantly crafted treehouse when his grandchildren were growing up, and it remains on his property in Waukesha where he lived for more than 60 years. Although he was consistently frugal and thrifty, he would regularly buy lottery tickets in the hopes of winning the big jackpot.

His family appreciates having shared his time, space, and adventures, and are grateful he left this earth peacefully and without pain. He was a wonderful man, husband, father, and Papa, and he will always be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Tony’s name to Polka Polka Polka (715-524-4664, polkapolkapolkatv@gmail.com, c/o Colleen Van Ells, PO Box 65, Shawano, WI 54166), American Kidney Fund, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, American Bird Conservancy, or National Kidney Foundation.