Charles ‘Chuck’ Wicker

He was born on March 17, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of the late Kenneth and Luella (Halverson) Wicker.

He graduated from Washington High School with the class of 1952 and later went on to receive his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Chuck was a veteran having served in the U.S. Air force for two years

On September 21, 1973, he was married to the former Kathy Jukuri Lassila.

After their marriage they moved to the Jukuri Farm on Sievi Road in Traprock. Chuck was a teacher in Waupun, Wisconsin, and Calumet High School. He then went on to serve as Uniserv Director for Region 18 which covered the western Upper Peninsula. In 1980, he and Kathy opened Kathy’s Country Flowers in Hancock which they owned and operated until they retired in November 2010. He also worked for the U.S. Census  

Chuck enjoyed hunting and fishing traveling to Montana, Alaska, Colorado, and Argentina. He also loved life on the farm driving his side by side, working on the farm with his bulldozer and backhoe that he bought when he went to a garage sale with Kathy, he never went to another garage sale.

He was a past member of the Hancock Rotary Club for 30 years serving as President. He received the  Paul Harris Fellow Award, started the Rotary Rose Sale and chaperoned Rotary exchange student trips out west.

He was a member of the Hancock City Council, Main Street Hancock and the DDA, Hancock BPA, Houghton County Democratic Party and Faith Lutheran Church of Calumet. He also was instrumental in bring back the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Hancock. 

Preceding him in death was his sister Doris Kerrigan and brothers Russell, Gordon and Donald.

Surviving are his wife Kathy, his son Guy (Keyi Dai) Wicker of Hancock, daughters Carey (Mark) Polewezynski of Waterford, Wisconsin, and Jeanne (Scott) Clow of Colgate, Wisconsin, step sons Jon Lassila of Traprock and Brian (Sherry) Lassila of Traprock, daughter in law Sandy Lassila.

Grandchildren: Andy (Misty) Polewezynski, Matt (Brandy) Polewezynski, Michele (Matt) Laufer, Bowen Clow, Kyle Clow, Cole Lassila, Morgan (Dustin) Hokenson and Blake Lassila, and great grandchildren Melanie, Michelle, Miles, Max, Matt, Madison, Ellie, Amelia and Stanley.

Visitation will be held on Thursday August 6, 2020, from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. with the funeral service starting at 1 p.m. at the Erickson Crowley Peterson/Siskiwit Reception Hall outdoor garden. 

Please wear bright clothing. Chuck loved his Hawaiian shirts. 

This will be an outdoor event and masks and social distancing will still be required.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family. Online condolences can be left at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.

Flowers and plants will be an appropriate form of sympathy. Any other expressions of sympathy may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church 26016 Depot Street Calumet, MI 49913.

Special thank you to all of the staff of Aspirus Keweenaw Home Health and Hospice including Scott, Steve, Rebecca, McKenna and Roger.