Richard Donald Cacek, son of Augustine and Andrea (Peterson) Cacek, was born December 17, 1932 in Cherokee, Iowa. He graduated from Cherokee High School. Following high school Dick was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on March 4, 1952. He served overseas during the Korean Conflict. On March 3, 1955 Dick was honorably discharged.
Janet Norma Cacek, daughter of J. Norman and Ruth (Johnson) Peterson was born November 10, 1935 in Long Prairie, Minnesota. She graduated from Long Prairie High School.
On December 29, 1963 Dick and Jan were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Together they raised five children.
Dick was employed for I.P.S. and MidAmerican Energy for nearly forty years before his retirement in 1994. After his retirement, he drove the Regional Transit Authority bus. Jan was employed as a bookkeeper prior to their marriage and after she was married she worked at Schaffer’s Shabby Shack, the Highway Café and Mrs. O’s.
Dick and Jan were both active members of their community. Together they volunteered at the Lost Island Nature Center and Ruthven Betterment Society. They were avid supporters of school music and athletic events. In 2000, they were Citizens of the Year for Bully Bullhead Weekend and served as Grand Marshalls in 2005. They both enjoyed bowling league in their younger years. Playing any type of card game at family functions would find them both in the mix. Dick and Jan were members of the Ruthven United Methodist Church. They were regular blood donors in the Siouxland Community Blood Bank where Dick was a member of the Ten Gallon Club.
Jan’s favorite pastimes included shopping, taking photos of her family, and collecting anything “pig”. She was so very proud of her collection and many people in the community added to her collection over the years. She was an active member of the Ruthven American Legion Auxiliary, Red Hat Society, TOPS of Emmetsburg, UMW where she was active in Friendship Circle and the church choir. She was a previous Den Mother for Boy Scouts.
Dick’s favorite pastimes included fishing, reading, going for coffee in the morning, playing pinochle, euchre and cribbage and helping others in any way needed. Dick served on the City Council, Palo Alto County Conservation Board, Ruthven Library Board, school board, Lions Club, Ruthven Fire Department and Ruthven American Legion. He had been a Boy Scout leader when his boys were small. In his years working for the power company everyone in the county knew they could call Dick for assistance any time; day or night, no matter the weather. He took great pride in his responsibilities for the care and transportation he provided through Rides.
Dick and Jan died Thursday, October 18, 2007 at their home in Ruthven. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Delores (Dyslin) Cacek in 1962; a sister, Rosie Zimmet; and two brothers, Roy and Vincent Cacek.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Diane Madden.
They are survived by their children, Jeff Cacek and his wife, Leah of Ruthven, IA, Tanya Schmeling and her husband, Chris of Emmetsburg, IA, Tim Cacek of Seattle, WA, Susan Konkel and her husband, Bill of Wittenberg, WI and Amy Avila and her husband, Rolando of Omaha, NE; fifteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren, Maya, Tyson, Treyton, Taylor, Grace, Eli, Josie, Myra and Tessa; Dick’s brother, Bud Cacek and his wife, Rachel of Elk Point, S.D. and sister, Alice Hinken of South Dakota; Jan’s sisters, Sunny Agerlie and her husband, Ollie of Walker, MN, her twin sister, Judy Hendrickson and her husband, Bob of Plymouth, MN and Brenda Jost and her husband, Duane of Sun City, AZ; Dick’s mother-in-law, Viola Dyslin of Wausau, WI; as well as many other relatives and friends.

SERVICES
United Methodist Church
Ruthven, Iowa
Friday, October 26, 2007, 10:00 A.M.

INTERMENT
Crown Hill Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa