Richard John Kaczor
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Memorial services for Richard John Kaczor, 76, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday January 30th, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Stony Point Cemetery in rural Douglas County. He passed away Monday, January 18th, 2016 at Pioneer Ridge.
Richard was born March 27, 1939 in Polk, NE, the son of Bernhard August and Irene Elizabeth Marie (Juergensen) Kaczor.
As a teenager, Richard left home to attend Concordia High School, Seward, Nebraska in preparation for the ministry. He graduated with an Associate Degree from St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Concordia Senior College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree. Richard was ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
Richard’s first call was to start a congregation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He also served congregations in Inglis, Manitoba, Canada and Scott City, Kansas. In 1987 he began work for Lutheran Social Services and returned to school at the University of Kansas to earn his Masters of Social Welfare in 1996. After retiring in 2001, Richard returned to the ministry to serve Grace Lutheran in Hill City, Kansas.
Richard dedicated his life to serving the Lord through his service to others. He changed people’s lives through his listening, his patience and his belief in them. He was a talented and creative artist whose main works included drawing and painting. He was a writer, sharing his gift through articles, poetry, and hymns. His creative servitude led him to projects that amazed and made us all smile.
Richard was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church.
He married Delores Ann Ahrendsen July 19, 1963 in Audubon, IA. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his son Nate and wife Angie, Nashville, Tennessee, son Joel Kaczor and wife, Mary; daughter, Libby Grady and husband Myrone all of Lawrence; Grandchildren Kaylee Kaczor, Knoxville, Tennessee, Micah Kaczor, Bowling Green, Kentucky, Degan and Camden Kaczor, Aris, Jase and Kaius Grady, all of Lawrence. Sisters Cherry (Gene) Hammon, Spencer, Nebraska, Bonnie Rodenburg (Bob), Norborne, Missouri, and brother Leroy Kaczor, Spencer, Nebraska.
Our family would like to express a deep gratitude to the staff at Pioneer Ridge who so lovingly cared for Richard over the last several years. Also a special thank you to Grace Hospice for your support and care.
The family will greet friends from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 29th at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Immanuel Lutheran Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
So sorry for your loss. Pastor was a great man and meant a lot to both of us.
So very sorry to hear of his passing. He was a very important person in our lives: he officiated at our wedding, baptized both our kids, and was instrumental in bring Randy to Christ. We will never forget his gentle, kind hearted way. He will rest in comfort now.
The impact of Pastor’s ministry will never be eclipsed by time. The congregation here will always remember the impact that he had on both the community and the congregation. We will all look forward to the resurrection and reunion!
Very sorry to hear about Pastor Kaczor’s passing.
I have many fond memories of Pastor Kaczor’s time at Holy Cross in Scott City. On behalf of my family…Our condolences and prayers be with the Kaczor family.
We are thinking of all of you. He was such a great man. We are thankful for know him and your family. God bless you all.
The God of the Holy Bible promises that death will be no more in the near future and you will see your loved one again on Paradise Earth. Revelation 21:3,4 and John 5:28,29. May He give you comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Dee, thinking of you and Dick and remembering goodness that both of you bring to others. Take care and know these good memories live on and on. Louise
We are sad to hear of Pastor’s death but know he is glad to be with his “Boss.” We so enjoyed him being our Pastor at Holy Cross. He was a great teacher and shepherd of his flock. He had many interests which he shared with many people but also had the time to listen to others interests. A much loved Pastor.
I was sorry to read of Pastor Kaczor’s death. I offer my condolences to his family, especially Dee. He must have been an amazing person. I wish I’d had the chance to meet him.
On behalf of Messiah Lutheran Church in Hays we offer our condolences to Dee and the family. You are in our prayers in this time of loss. Dick was a great inspiration to us during his time at Hays. He is greatly missed.
We are very sorry to hear the news of Pastor Kaczor. He will be missed. Prayers for each of you.
We have missed Pastor Kaczor since he moved to Lawrence from Hays. Our congregation was deeply blessed to have him in our Circuit serving in Hill City and doing counseling at Colby and all around this area. Especially remember his “laundry” sermon. Our deepest sympathy to Delores and family. He touched so many lives while here on earth. Now he has won the battle and is dancing with Jesus for eternity. God Bless, TLC – Colby, KS
From afar, we are sharing in your loss and lifting the family up in thoughts and prayers. Richard was highly appreciated and loved by our family. Please accept out heartfelt condolences to the family and friends alike for your loss. Such an incredible individual who left a positive footprint and impact for many to follow.
Our condolences to the entire family. Pastor Kaczor baptized our youngest son and was such an impressive Pastor. He preached for Stewardship Sunday here in Manhattan. Everyone I had told how good he was told me that I was correct. His message reached so many people as he did all through his career. He was such a treasure to all of you and many more of the faith community. We are keeping you all in our prayers.
Glenda and Bill Moore
As a young man, he was kind and had a gentle sense of humor. The Holy Spirit blessed him with good gifts that he shared quite well with those he met. Whether we live or whether we die, we are in Christ. Peace to the family.
Richard and I were classmates going back to St. John’s Academy, Winfield, KS and thru the years at the Sem..
I too was from Nebraska.
He was a blessing to our class and to me.
WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT…
Now enter the peace reserved for you.
Blessings in Christ to family and friends.
Rev. Stewart Reimnitz
DEE, Nathan, Joel, Libby & your families:
We have such fond memories from so many years ago.
One great sadness in our lives has been the geographic distance between our families, since we moved from MB to BC, and you to KS.
We do wish we could be closer to share hugs and tears, as we celebrate and rejoice with Dick and the multitude of saints from every nation around the throne risen Christ, singing:
Blessing, glory, & wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power & might,
be to God and the Lamb. Amen!
My deepest sympathy to the Family.
He touched many lives.
I met him while he served at Inglis, Manitoba.
GOD’S blessing ti you all.
I am thinking of the many fond memories that I have back in Scott City at the Kaczor house. I send my condolences to all of you. RIP Mr. Kaczor.
James Gerken of Omaha, NE. He was a fellow classmate of mine at St.John college & academy in Winfield. He wrote some beautiful sonnets about life that inspired us all. Art and music must be gifts to the Kaczor family. A young lady with the Kaczor name, now living in Japan, is a fabulous organist in Japan. She came from Poland. Thank God for the gifts that Richard’s life gave to us here in God’s Kingdom. You can hear the Music of JS Bach now on You Tube for free. Ms Kaczor plays it for free. Peace in Christ to all.