Richard John Kaczor

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 18 ^th , 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.