Richard J. Kujak

Richard Joseph Kujak, of La Crosse, passed away at the age of 76 on August 26, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Richard was married for 51 years to his wife, Sandra (Stachowitz) Kujak, and had 8 children and 17 grandchildren.
Richard was born on December 27, 1938, to Anton and Mary (Micek) Kujak on his family farm in Arcadia, Wis. He graduated from Arcadia High School and subsequently attended the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, graduating with a Medical Technologist degree. Richard was employed as a medical technologist at Gundersen-Lutheran in La Crosse, as well as at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, S.Dak. Over the years, Richard also owned and operated a number of businesses, had several public interests and served on the village board in La Crescent, Minn., in the 1970s.
Richard was extraordinarily hardworking and enjoyed being outside taking care of his gardens, traveling, camping and fishing. Richard loved family gatherings, connecting everyone through his cooking (he contributed to numerous family favorites, e.g., scalloped potatoes) and card games. Above all else, Richard was incredibly dedicated to his family, a calm, steady presence, generous with his patience, being quick to forgive and forget. Richard was funny, witty and nurturing - he will be remembered most for his kind smile, sense of humor and selflessness. He was a devoted husband, supportive brother, loving father and a joyous grandfather and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Richard is survived by his wife, Sandra (Stachowitz) Kujak; his brother, Marcel (Joanne) Kujak; his 8 children: Michael (Adria Miller) Kujak, Stephen (Annette Thach) Kujak, Jenny (Dave Cobasko) Kujak, Nancy (Ben Ford) Kujak-Ford, Angela (Mark Howard) Kujak, Charlie (Sara Jacobs) Kujak, Renee (Ruben Valencia) Kujak and David (Erin Broderick) Kujak; 17 grandchildren: Mike (Conner, Elizabeth); Steve (Karl, Kayla, Kameron); Jenny (Sam, Annie); Nancy (James, Rowan, Maura); Angela (Arielle, Miles); Charlie (Thomas, Lucy, Evelyn, Tate), and David (Makai); and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his father Anton Kujak and mother Mary (Micek) Kujak.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 5th, at the Roncalli Newman Center, 1732 State St., La Crosse. Rev. Peter Raj will serve as Celebrant. Family and friends may call from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse, where a prayer service will begin at 4:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass on Saturday at the church. Floral tributes may be sent to the funeral home, or, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Richard Kujak Memorial Fund and mailed to Holy Family Catholic Church Elementary School, 223 Maple St., Arcadia, Wis. 54612.