Louis Checkai Obituary (1929 - 2025)

Born Jul 04, 1929, Louis Checkai attended Watertown High School in Watertown, WI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Louis Checkai.

Graduation Year	Class of 1947
Date of Birth	Jul 04, 1929
Date of Passing	Jan 04, 2025
About	(no additional information)
Events	Louis (Lou) Ramon Checkai passed away peacefully at Spring Brook Community Assisted Living in Onalaska, WI on January 4, 2025. Louis was born July 4, 1929 in Watertown, the only child of Joseph and Alice Checkai (nee Gruel). In 1949 he married Nancy Jine. Together they raised 3 sons, Mark, Tom and Joel. Louis attended St. Mark’s Lutheran School and graduated from Watertown High School in 1947. Louis and Nancy shared 36 years of marriage until Nancy’s death in 1985. Louis met Colleen Kapanke while she was teaching for the Watertown School District at Lincoln School. They were married on September 5, 1987 at St. Paul’s Church in Sugar Island. Louis enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also an avid fan of the Brewers, Bucks and Packers. He was a member of the Watertown Auxiliary Fire Department, Isaac Walton Club, Conservation Club, and American Legion. Louis built their family home on Highland Avenue in 1953 and over the years, enjoyed making improvements around the house. Louis will be remembered for his longevity, not only in life and marriage but also throughout his working career. He was employed at the Ford dealership for approximately 40 years in the Parts Department. He was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard, attaining the rank of First Sergeant. During his tenure with National Guard, he participated in several deployments (Tacoma WA and Germany) and assisted the Guard in maintaining order during demonstrations in Madison during the 1960s. Louis also spent many hours volunteering at Lincoln School until Colleen’s retirement. Together, Lou and Colleen enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Louis is survived by his wife, Colleen; sons, Mark (Lisa) of Token Creek, Tom of Watertown, and Joe (Peg) of Watertown; stepsons, Bruce (Valerie) Kapanke, and Brian (Jane) Kapanke; grandchildren, Tera (Jay) Denning, Dustin (Mandy) Checkai, Eric (Lorena) Checkai, Nicole (Jon) Schuett, Jennifer (Jacob) Pederson, Jessica (Eric) Moilien, Kendra Kapanke, and Kalyn (Ryan Saari) Kapanke; several great grandchildren; and cousin Gene (Pat) Cowen. Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Alice, Nancy Checkai, Tod Kapanke and cousin, Donald Cowen. The family is grateful for the care and compassion he received while living at Spring Brook Community Assisted Living in Onalaska. We will miss the daily phone calls Louis made each day to family and friends to check in on sports scores and game schedules along with the early morning phone calls Louis would make to wish people a Happy Birthday! Visitation will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sugar Island on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 11:00 am, followed by the funeral at 1:00 pm with Rev. Dave Uden officiating. Military honors conducted by American Legion Post #189 will immediately follow the service. Family and Friends are welcome to join the Checkai family after the service for a luncheon at the church. Burial will take place at Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Hafemeister Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Watertown is serving the family. Online condolences may be left at www.HafemeisterFH.com.