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David “Dave” J. Czaja
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On June 30, 2021 @ 1:25 pm In 2021,Obituaries | 17 Comments
David “Dave” J. Czaja, age 80, of Shakopee, MN and Danbury, WI, passed away surrounded by his family in Shakopee, MN on June 29, 2021. Liturgy of the Word will be held on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 12:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 833 Marschall Rd, Shakopee, with Deacon Jim Pufahl presiding. Public visitation will be held prior to services from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.
Dave was born on August 16, 1940 to Joseph and Frances (Rudolph) Czaja in Wausau, WI. The eldest of three children, Dave grew up in Schofield, WI, just outside of Wausau. Following his high school graduation, he served honorably in the United States Air Force for four years, specializing as a radar technician. Dave completed his basic training in San Antonio, TX, and was later stationed in Oklahoma. After his discharge, he returned to Wisconsin and attended Stevens Point University before switching to a tech school in Wausau and completing a two-year degree in electronics. Dave worked with electronics his whole career, working for AT&T for many years before his early retirement in 1988. Shortly after, he decided to continue working and got a job with Minnesota Plumbing and Heating, where he stayed until 2006.
While attending high school, Dave met Marie Tambornino, and despite serving in the Air Force for a few years, they later reconnected and were united in marriage on June 20, 1964 at St. Therese Church in Rothschild, WI. Soon after their marriage, Dave and Marie started a family and were blessed with eight children. Together, they moved from Wisconsin to the Chicago area before eventually settling in Shakopee.
Throughout his life, Dave had a passion for all kinds of electronics. From building TVs, antennas, and radio gear to using his VR headset late in life, as the “Go Go Gadget Dad”, he was always on the cutting edge of new technology. Many unsuspecting family members and friends have vivid memories of getting trapped in long discussions about ham radio with Dave. A man of many hobbies, he also took up sewing, made dandelion wine, and beekeeping. Dave was always the one behind the camera, taking many photos of his kids and developing film in hotel rooms on his various work trips.
Along with his many hobbies, Dave, along with his wife Marie, were also extremely involved with his church and his community. He was a founder and leader for many years of the Passion Play that started in 1981 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee, bringing elaborate costumes from his hometown of Wausau, and getting his kids involved in various capacities. Dave was extremely proud parading his children into church and filling up an entire pew, arriving early, and being the last to leave. He was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member and served as Deputy Grand Knight and Grand Knight for one year each. Dave was also involved in the Czech Area Concertina Club, playing a leading role for many years, and with city government planning, including the planning commission for Canterbury Downs.
After his retirement in 2006, Dave moved to their cabin on Shoal Lake, WI in search of a quieter life. Although he welcomed visitors, he also liked his solitude and was able to experiment with more hobbies like fishing, gardening, and being an avid environmentalist, seeing how low he could get his electric bill with solar and wind power and green energy usage. He loved sitting on his dock and watching the wildlife in peace. The cabin was also a great “camp” for the grandkids, and Dave made sure he had a special connection with each one, teaching them about nature and always being a resource when they needed someone to talk to.
With a larger-than-life personality and an ability to make a connection with everyone he met, Dave was passionate, empathetic, loving, spiritual, and content. He and his large heart will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years, Marie; children, Kathy (Ken) Schrempp, Debbie Menden (friend, Tom Wurzberger), Bob (Christine) Czaja, Patty (Brian) Jilek, Rick (Julie) Czaja, Bill (Lisa) Czaja, Jean Mesarich (Steve Broome), and Ann (Atticus) White; grandchildren, Jenny (Kyle) Hanson, Ryan (Mandee) and Tyler Schrempp, Rachel (John) Kuelbs, Leah (Mason) Sellers, Alex (Ashley) and Adam Menden, Lauren Duran, Frank and Evey Jilek, Nathan and Allison Czaja, Alyssa (Kyle) Johnson, Auna (David) Weigman, Michael and Bryan McNamee, Brittany and Ashley Czaja, Jack Mesarich, and Logan and Charlotte White; great-grandchildren, Trenten, Trevor, and Tegan Hanson, Mila Kuelbs and Henry Sellers, and Carson McNamee; sister, Therese Ann Wiesneske (Ed); and many other nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Dave will be greeted in heaven by his parents; parents-in-law, Charles and Helen Tambornino; sister, Carol Jean Buchanan; sister-in-law, Helen Singkofer; and son-in-law, Jeff Menden.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly served and cared for the Czaja family.
Offer Condolence for the family of David “Dave” J. Czaja
Print Obituary & CondolencesOur thoughts and prayers go out to your family in this time and need. Good friends of Ken and Kathy.
I love you Grandpa.
We were neighbors of Dave & Marie in 1976 in Aurora, Illinois. We’ve enjoyed a lengthy friendship and loved them and all of their children very much. We send our sincerest sympathy and love to all of you at this sad time. We believe there is no pain that Heaven cannot heal!
In loving friendship,
Ray & Marcie Boulay
Bill,Lisa and family! So sorry for the loss of your Father! Sending lots of prayers!
I only met Dave once, but he made a lasting impression of good, patience, and love of family. May you all find joy in the many meories shared among you and he now looks after you from his seat in Heaven.
I didn’t know Dave well but as a fellow concertina player I met and visited with him several times. I believe we were together on a tour in 2006 to the area in Germany where the concertina was invented. As a Ham radio operator I was not aware of his skill in electronics. My condolences to the family.
Dear Marie and Family,
Tom and I extend our deepest sympathy to you all. Dave will always be remember by us with that friendly smile that never ended!
Tom and Mary Haeg
Sending the family lots of hugs & love!
Dave was a like a 2nd Dad to me, spending lots
of time in the Czaja house hold growing up. He treated
Me like one of his kids. I did my share of contributing to breakfast & dinner preparations for many family dinners.
There were always Soooo many dishes…
Yes, I remember many stories of his new
Electronic Creations & much enjoyed running
Around Shakopee in the Electric Car with the Czaja
Girls. Lots of great memories of Dave.
Sending my heart felt condolences
With love from Nancy Holter & family
Bill, Lisa and family, we are so very sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. Our prayers, thoughts, and hugs go out to your family during this very difficult time.
Thanks Dave for playing your concertina at our families gatherings. It was fun to sing while you played.
Gave me confidence. You would always say”Sing Louder” and then we recorded the music and singing and played it back. Fun, fun, times. RIP Dave.
In the Concertina World Dave
was very active in the organizing of the Czech Area Concertina Club.
He was president in the early years and will be remembered for the
Lavish Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony of 2005 at the Mystic Lake
Casino-Motel that the CACC hosted.
Sincerely,
Joe Fojtik President of the World Concertina Congress
My condolences to you Maria and your family. Praying for you!
To the Czaja Family, we are sorry about Dave’s passing .We got to know him when he moved up to Shoal lake. We enjoyed Dave playing his concertina for us, especially our german company. Lots of laughs and singing and dinners. We were neighbors at the lake
Dave was a very nice, happy, cheery person that played the concertina well. We will miss him at the WCC events. We send our condolences.
Your friends,
Lester and Cheri Bondowski
We are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts, hearts, and prayers. God Bless you and your family.
We thank you, Dave Czaja, for your selfless devoted service to our great Country.
Our deepest condolences,
⸺ The Thomas M. Szarkowitz Family
United States Navy (retired)
Mesa, AZ
I became friends with Dave Czaja during our service in the U.S. Air Force when stationed at Altus AFB in Oklahoma in 1961 and 1962. He, myself and Airman Sully became a trio enjoying each other’s company through those years. Dave and I were granted a two week leave so he could visit his parents and introduce me to his family at his then Schofield, Wisconsin home. We kept in touch over the years visiting each other on several occasions. I will cherish these memories until we meet again.
Marie and family, and Therese Ann, Jeannie and I extend our sympathy to all of you on the loss of this loving, full of life and spirit, dedicated, personable husband, father and brother. May all the beautiful memories bring you solace during this grieving period.
Mark & Jean Mangano
Brooklyn, CT 06234
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So sorry for your tremendous loss. David was a great friend and loving cousin, who always seemed to have time for a video chat with his Michigan cousins. We will all miss his warm and loving smile.