Roger Lasko

Roger Carl Lasko, age 85, of McHenry passed away on January 20, 2022 at his home with his loving wife Rosalie Parisi-Lasko, by his side. He was born on May 24, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Walter and Elizabeth (Kujawa) Lasko. Roger grew up in Chicago and graduated from Lindblom Technical High School in 1954. After graduation, he joined the Illinois Air National Guard (ANG) 126th Wing, which was initially a fighter bomber wing. This Wing eventually became the first ANG Wing to mid-air refuel various aircraft. Further, the 126th was the first ANG to mid-air refuel the elite Air Force Thunderbirds. On January 26, 1957, he married Patricia Jean Smith in Chicago, IL. Roger and Patricia moved to McHenry in 1969, where they raised their family and were married for 48 years, until she passed away in 2005. Roger earned many meritorious service awards during his 42-year career with the Illinois Air National Guard, supporting both NATO operations in Europe and Southwest Asia, as well as serving in Operation Desert Storm. Roger retired from the Illinois Air National Guard in 1996. After retirement Roger volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Centegra Hospital, Woodlawn Cemetery Board (2009-2016), and was actively involved in the McHenry VFW Post 4600 and McHenry American Legion Post 491 (AL491). Roger particularly enjoyed being a member of the Honor Guard/Rifle Squad AL491 and participating in the parades and national holiday celebrations. Roger was lucky enough to have met his current wife Rosalie while working out at the health club. They married on January 8, 2010. They enjoyed dinners and dancing at the VFW, traveling to see their children, attending various events for their grandchildren, taking long walks throughout their neighborhood, playing Bingo, and volunteering with many community organizations. Those who knew Roger would describe him as kind, caring, loving, helpful and dependable. Roger is survived by his loving wife, Rosalie Parisi-Lasko; his three children: Scott (Melissa) Lasko of Pewaukee, WI; Donna (Jim Pfeiffer) Lasko, of The Villages, FL; and Carol (Steve) Jarecki of McHenry, IL; 3 stepchildren: Karen (Mike) Maksymiak of McHenry, IL, Judy Slonina, of McHenry, and Mark (Tammy) Slonina of Bradenton, FL. Seven grandchildren: Nathaniel Lasko, Stephen Lasko, Claire Lasko, Katherine Lasko, Amy Lasko; Brian Jarecki and Brandon Jarecki. 14 step-grandchildren: Julie Certa, Maggie Schultz, Jaime Innis, and Maureen Kunitz; Michelle Castillo, Doug Hurst, Miranda Goins, Michael Lindquist, Katie Comerford, Mallory Slonina, Caitlyn McClure, Jenna Menke, and Tabitha and Austin Bingham; and 15 step-great grandchildren, as well as two nephews, Rick Lasko and Rob Lasko. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Patricia, his brother Richard Lasko, sister-in-law Theresa Lasko, and niece Merry Beth Lasko. Memorial Visitation will take place on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 9:00am to 11:30am at Colonial Funeral Home in McHenry, IL. Family and friends will then proceed to St. Mary Catholic Church in McHenry for 12:00 pm Mass. Internment with military honors will follow the mass at Woodland Cemetery in McHenry, IL In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be directed to Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631, or Journey Care Hospice, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010.