Roger Edward Stapek

Roger Edward Stapek passed away peacefully at his treasured cabin in Birchwood, Wisconsin on December 7, 2025. He was surrounded by family after a short battle with an aggressive stomach cancer. He is survived by wife Mary Stapek; son Troy Stapek (Beth); daughters Amber Stapek, Tracy Goettl, Tara Woods (Troy), Joey MacDonald (Ian); 12 grandchildren, Nicholas Goettl (Sadie), Madeline Goettl, Julia Goettl (Nata), Lucas Stapek, Ella Stapek, Silas Stapek, Matthew Stapek, Lydia Stapek, Logan Woods, Emma Woods, Riley MacDonald, Gus MacDonald; 1 great grandchild son, Charlie Goettl; and 5 brothers and sisters, including his look alike Jim (Deb). Roger was born on August 25th 1949 in Mora, Minnesota to Dorothy and Tony Stapek. He was employed at Northfield Hospital and served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for 31 years. During this time he met Maryrose Jantzen and after dating for 8 years they were married in 2001. Together they continued to live in Northfield, before later moving to Anthem, Arizona. Finding the Arizona heat to be too much, they moved to Paris (Texas that is), finding the draw of the small town environment and the Eiffel Tower with a cowboy hat to be too much to pass up. During all of this they continued to spend summers at their cabin in Birchwood, Wisconsin, enjoying the quiet of nature, mornings out on the lake catching fish, and having guests, whether family or friends coming up to visit or his brother-in-law and sister-in-law who live next door. Wherever Roger lived he found time for golf, woodworking, walking and family. He was a member of Tagalong Golf Course in Birchwood, golfing at least twice a week. He enjoyed woodworking, and could build or fix most anything from picnic benches to the cedar chests on display in the homes of many family members. Every morning he would be up early walking "the property line" and going on one of his daily 4 mile walks. While Mary did much of the cooking, Roger was known to be the taste tester, finding many of the dishes prepared to be 'adequate'. This was Roger's nod of approval for many things and a standing joke in the family. Roger loved family over everything else. When family was around he was at his happiest so it was fitting that he was surrounded by family during his last few weeks. Roger will be cremated and a celebration of life will be held in the summer for family and friends to get together and share memories. Rounding the corner and coming into Birchwood, we will always remember hearing the excitement of the grandchildren. "Grandpa, Grandma, THE BIG FISH". The big fish or Bluegill statue in Birchwood, will always be a part of our family history. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Stapek family for contribution to the Bluegill Restoration Fund. Stapek Family- PO Box 315 Birchwood, WI 54817. Appleyard's Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is assisting and serving the family with the arrangements.