Obit: LaGasse, John Junior ‘Jack’ (1925 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: LaGasse, Shock, Wagner, Grajkowski, Knusta, Bellin, Martell, Spies, Dubberkee, Gower, Polnaszek, Boyd, Gardow, Gower, Elkins

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co, WI) 10/22/2014

LaGasse, John Junior ‘Jack’ (25 April 1925 - 18 October 2014) With Flag

Jack LaGasse, at the age of 89, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2014, surrounded by his family. Jack was born April 25, 1925, to John and Norma LaGasse (Schock) in Stanley, WI. He married the love of his life, Joyce Kathryn Wagner, on October 24, 1944.

Jack is survived by his four children: Lois (Ed) Grajkowski, Lynette (John) Knusta, Terry (Richard) Bellin, and Mark LaGasse; grandchildren: Kurt (Michelle) Grajkowski, Karl (Cindy) Grajkowski, Dixie (Mark) Martell, Shari (Jerry) Spies, Jeannie (Eric) Dubberkee, Edward (Amber) Bellin, Bradley Bellin, Chief Petty Officer Matthew (KC) Bellin, Isaac LaGasse, Ian LaGasse, Austin LaGasse; step-grandchildren: Jamie Polnaszek-Boyd, Alex (Mae) Polnaszek, Brock Polnaszek; great-grandchildren: Kara and Creighton Grajkowski, Gavin and Avery Grajkowski, Aleshia Martell, EJ Gardow and Natalie Spies, Dawson and Jailyn Dubberkee, Jackson Bellin, Emerson and Fern Bellin; step-great-grandchildren: Seth and Conner Gower; brother, Wayne LaGasse; sister-in-law, Janice Wagner; and brother-in-law, Dick Wagner.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his father-and-mother-in-law, William S. and Florence Wagner; his loving wife, Joyce; his brother, Keith LaGasse; sister-in-law, Sue LaGasse; brother-in-law, William D. Wagner; and great-grandson, Caden Grajkowski.

He was the co-publisher of The Thorp Courier, along with William S. Wagner and Robert Elkins, from 1954 to 1966, and with Robert Elkins until 1975. From that time, he was publisher with his wife, Joyce, until 1986.

Jack was a WWII veteran serving in the Army Signal Corp. Jack will be remembered for his diligent participation as a member of the Thorp Male Chorus, Thorp Fire and Ambulance Department, American Legion, Masons, VFW, and Thorp Businessmen’s Association, along with many other community organizations. He was the founder of the Miss Thorp program and a recipient of the Businessman of the Year award.

A private Military Service will be held at a future date with interment in the East Thorp Cemetery.