Rick J. Lecker

Rick J. Lecker, 49, of Plover, died unexpectedly at his home on January 16.

Rick was born May 3, 1975, in Appleton to his loving parents Richard and Virginia Lecker.

He attended Highlands Elementary School, Einstein Junior High, and Appleton West High School, graduating in 1993 after playing on the golf team and serving as a statistician for the 1992 state champion football team.

After high school Rick attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, graduating in 1998 with a degree in business management.

Rick went on to work as a manager for Shopko at numerous stores in the Fox Valley and for a brief stint in Peoria, Ill., before going into the management program at Kohl’s in 2005. He proudly served as store manager in Plover from 2007-16 before moving to the Wausau location.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Fred and Rose Lecker, Don and Ella Smith, and Robert Lepp, uncles Earl Lecker, Fred Lecker, Don Lecker, his godfather Roland Lecker, Roy Lecker, Orlo Moeller, Clarence Forslund and Steve Lepp, aunts Olive Lecker, Joyce Lecker, Betty Lecker and Verna Forslund, and cousins Gary, Jeff, Victoria, John and his godfather Don Jr.

Rick is survived by his parents, his brother and partner in crime Paul Lecker and sister-in-law Stacie, and his nephew Ethan, his goddaughter and niece Elizabeth, and his adopted niece and Elizabeth’s partner Kayla Scaletty. He was so proud of his nephew and nieces and beamed with pride for their accomplishments. He is also survived by his aunts Elaine Moeller, godmother Bonnie Lecker and Karen Lecker, uncles David Lepp and Dan Lepp, and countless cousins.

Anyone that knew Rick was well aware of his love for sports. Even though we were all bummed about the Packers loss in the playoffs (again), he was very much looking forward to the NFL Draft in Green Bay this spring, and of course, for golf to start so he could try out his new gear.

There was a saying he had with Paul, Stacie and his friends – “You never know what is going to happen. Buy the tickets!”

Rick attended dozens of Packers, Brewers and Bucks games, the 2015 Final Four between his two favorite teams Wisconsin and Duke, and most of all loved to rock out at a concert. He saw them all – Van Halen, Metallica, Poison, Tesla, Cheap Trick, Slash, Guns ‘n Roses and this past summer his two favorites - Motley Crue and Counting Crows.

Rick’s greatest passion was golf. He loved playing with his brother, usually at their recently-found gem at Bullseye’s Country Club in Wisconsin Rapids, and with his numerous friends. Every year he looked forward to his trips to Whistling Straights and his favorite course, The Links at Lawsonia.

Rick was proud of his nearly 20 years at Kohl’s and what he accomplished as a store leader in Wausau. He loved the people he worked with, and felt that love and respect in return.

Rick had so many friends, many that were part of his life since his youth. To Greg Huenink, Bryan Howell, Mark Hughes, Pete “Dirt” Purchatzke, Andy and Char Besch, Scott Tornio, Bill Boyle, Jim Dean, Jeff Eagloski, Dave Pyszora, Sam Sigler, Brad Tamke, Kevin Lukas, Eric Kunesh, Daric Smith, Bob Clark, Joe Ferg, Terry and Andrea Mitchell, and so many others, know that he loved and adored you all. Each of you, in your own way, made his life complete.

Rick’s family thanks the first responders in Plover and Portage County, Pisarski Community Funeral Home in Plover and Valley Funeral Home in Appleton for your care and support.

A Memorial Service for Rick will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond St., Appleton. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. and will continue until the time of the service. There will be a celebration of Rick’s life at the 10th Frame, 618 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Appleton, to follow. Rick will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in memory of Rick, which will be distributed to causes he was passionate about.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.