Elmer A. Sevcik

Elmer Sevcik died peacefully on February 21st, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on a farm near Slovan in Kewaunee County on June 13th, 1932. He was the younger son of Anton and Katherine (Velicer) Sevcik.

Anton died in 1936 and the family moved to Kewaunee. Katherine struggled to take care of the family with meager resources. Elmer’s older brother, Clarence, was drafted into the Army Air Force in 1942 and did not return until 1945. Elmer attended schools in Kewaunee and was a good student. He participated in forensics, debate team, drama club and served as President of the Senior Class of 1950. Also during high school, he and 3 friends formed The Blue Notes, in which he played the string bass.

After a year of employment at Svoboda Church Furniture Factory and with a scholarship award and encouragement from his brother, Elmer enrolled at Marquette University. He lived in Milwaukee with Clarence and his family for four years after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Elmer served in the Military Intelligence Section of the Third Army in Atlanta, Georgia for two years.

Upon his return to civilian life, he completed two years of academic work at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and was awarded a master’s degree in Social Work in 1960.

Elmer worked as a social worker in the Outagamie Dept of Welfare, and subsequently spent over 34 years as a marriage and family counselor at Family Service Association of Brown County in Green Bay. He was known for his integrity and compassion, and for helping many people and families improve their lives.

Elmer married Carol Salkowski at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kewaunee on April 28th in 1962. He loved her deeply and was devoted to her, as she was to him. They spent over sixty-two years together and had four children: Paul, Stephanie, Peter and Deanna. Elmer and his family enjoyed camping and spent many summers in numerous national and state parks around the country. He also enjoyed cross-country skiing, hiking, golf, tennis and biking with his family over the years, as well as woodworking, building beautiful pieces of furniture for their home.

He enjoyed ballroom dancing with Carol, his favorite partner, and they danced at many local events and even at a cafe in the Czech Republic. He loved spending quality time with all of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren even though some of them lived far away.

Elmer was an active member in his church, St. Bernard’s in Green Bay, participating in faith development and other programs as well as lectoring at weekly liturgies. One of the highlights of his and Carol’s association with St. Bernard’s was assisting a Hmong refugee family to resettle in Green Bay in 1976, with the help of other parish members.

He is survived by his wife Carol; his children: Paul (Sarah), Stephanie (Michael) Calcagno, Peter, Deanna (Greg) Graglia and his grandchildren: Emily and Laura Sevcik, Andrew and Aaron Calcagno, Nick and Annika Sevcik, Jonah Graglia, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Anton Sevcik, his mother, Katherine (Velicer) Sevcik, his brother, Clarence Sevcik and sister-in-law, Mary Sevcik, as well as many other relatives.

Visitation will be held at St. Bernard Parish (2040 Hillside Ln., Green Bay, WI), Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 9 to 11 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11AM. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Kewaunee, WI. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.NewcomerGreenBay.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to Habitat for Humanity or to The Carter Center in Elmer's name are appreciated.

Elmer's family would like to express their gratitude to Unity Hospice and Home Instead for their care and compassion.