Obituary for David H. Pisecki
David H. Pisecki, 66, of Kenosha, formerly of Wisconsin Rapids, died on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Froedtert South – Kenosha. After living with Huntington’s Disease for 30 years, he ultimately succumbed to the Covid-19 Virus which he valiantly fought.
Born in Wisconsin Rapids, on October 6, 1954, he was the son of the late Harry and Irene (Salter) Pisecki. David’s father became ill with Huntington’s Disease when David was 12. He was the father figure for his little brother Jerry, who felt lucky to have a big brother like David. He attended St. Lawrence Grade School and graduated from Assumption High School in 1972. He then attended UW Oshkosh graduating in 1976 with a degree in social work. David went on to receive a master’s degree in social work from UW Madison in 1978, and attended the Academy of Certified Social Workers, proudly displaying MSW and ACSW after his name.
“Dave” as he was affectionately called by his peers, worked as a social worker for Kenosha County, specializing in juvenile delinquents and children in foster care. After 24 years he retired in 1996. On his last day he had 52 cases.
On December 4, 2009, he married the love of his life, Rachel Bradbury, who became his number one advocate as his Huntington’s Disease progressed. Together they attended numerous conventions to learn and network, and visited high schools and nursing courses to teach others about the disease. The couple also enjoyed traveling, and even went to see David’s best friend Dexter Tsang at his home in Hong Kong. She is left to cherish their 40 years of memories.
David’s love of life, flowers, and the color yellow, his sense of humor, encouragement, and compassion, and the many works of art he created, which are displayed all over their home, will always stay in the hearts of his loved ones. His ability to enjoy beauty, laugh, and make everyone around him feel special taught others to do the same. He enjoyed animals – especially cats. He was always game to be involved with whatever was going on, even when Rachel brought home duck eggs for incubation; he wondered if his library would always smell that way. David was a wonderful dancer; he and Rachel could dance all evening on two Diet Coke’s. Above all else, family was David’s favorite. During the holidays, he would entertain his family with music he played on the organ and singing songs, as well as making floral bouquets for the table. He loved being called “Tutu” by his grandchildren whom he adored. During the kids’ extended visits in their home, they would go on many adventures together.
Surviving David is his loving wife, Rachel; sister, Joan (Fred) Jesse; brother, Jerry (Marie) Pisecki; two step-children, Michael (Kathleen) Bradbury, and Allison (Lee) Nepstad; five grandchildren, Erika and Taylor Bradbury, Andrew and Daniel Nepstad, and Angela (Brandon) Horswell; a great-grandson, Caleb Nepstad; three nephews, Todd Jesse, Zachary (Lorena) Pisecki, and Harrison (Carolyn Hathaway) Pisecki; a niece, Tina (Kim Pufahl) Jesse; and a great-niece, Mia Pisecki.
Picture David, walking through the pearly gates at 7:00 a.m., a cup of coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other and saying, “IT’S A HELLUVA DAY!”.
A memorial service celebrating David’s life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may make memorial contributions to the family.
David, you have been an inspiration to your family as you bravely battled Huntington’s Disease. For those who wish, you may also make memorial contributions in David’s memory to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at www.hdsa.org/donate.
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
Visit & Sign David’s
Online Memorial Book at:
www.prokofuneralhome.com
Born in Wisconsin Rapids, on October 6, 1954, he was the son of the late Harry and Irene (Salter) Pisecki. David’s father became ill with Huntington’s Disease when David was 12. He was the father figure for his little brother Jerry, who felt lucky to have a big brother like David. He attended St. Lawrence Grade School and graduated from Assumption High School in 1972. He then attended UW Oshkosh graduating in 1976 with a degree in social work. David went on to receive a master’s degree in social work from UW Madison in 1978, and attended the Academy of Certified Social Workers, proudly displaying MSW and ACSW after his name.
“Dave” as he was affectionately called by his peers, worked as a social worker for Kenosha County, specializing in juvenile delinquents and children in foster care. After 24 years he retired in 1996. On his last day he had 52 cases.
On December 4, 2009, he married the love of his life, Rachel Bradbury, who became his number one advocate as his Huntington’s Disease progressed. Together they attended numerous conventions to learn and network, and visited high schools and nursing courses to teach others about the disease. The couple also enjoyed traveling, and even went to see David’s best friend Dexter Tsang at his home in Hong Kong. She is left to cherish their 40 years of memories.
David’s love of life, flowers, and the color yellow, his sense of humor, encouragement, and compassion, and the many works of art he created, which are displayed all over their home, will always stay in the hearts of his loved ones. His ability to enjoy beauty, laugh, and make everyone around him feel special taught others to do the same. He enjoyed animals – especially cats. He was always game to be involved with whatever was going on, even when Rachel brought home duck eggs for incubation; he wondered if his library would always smell that way. David was a wonderful dancer; he and Rachel could dance all evening on two Diet Coke’s. Above all else, family was David’s favorite. During the holidays, he would entertain his family with music he played on the organ and singing songs, as well as making floral bouquets for the table. He loved being called “Tutu” by his grandchildren whom he adored. During the kids’ extended visits in their home, they would go on many adventures together.
Surviving David is his loving wife, Rachel; sister, Joan (Fred) Jesse; brother, Jerry (Marie) Pisecki; two step-children, Michael (Kathleen) Bradbury, and Allison (Lee) Nepstad; five grandchildren, Erika and Taylor Bradbury, Andrew and Daniel Nepstad, and Angela (Brandon) Horswell; a great-grandson, Caleb Nepstad; three nephews, Todd Jesse, Zachary (Lorena) Pisecki, and Harrison (Carolyn Hathaway) Pisecki; a niece, Tina (Kim Pufahl) Jesse; and a great-niece, Mia Pisecki.
Picture David, walking through the pearly gates at 7:00 a.m., a cup of coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other and saying, “IT’S A HELLUVA DAY!”.
A memorial service celebrating David’s life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may make memorial contributions to the family.
David, you have been an inspiration to your family as you bravely battled Huntington’s Disease. For those who wish, you may also make memorial contributions in David’s memory to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at www.hdsa.org/donate.
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
Visit & Sign David’s
Online Memorial Book at:
www.prokofuneralhome.com