Saturday, December 17th, 1938 – Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Chester R. Dickow passed away peacefully at the Hospice Alliance’s Hospice House on Thursday, October 16th, with his family by his side. He was 86 years old.
Born in Superior, Wisconsin, on December 17th, 1938, Chet was the second of 9 children, the youngest of whom he shared a birthday, 19 years apart. He spent most of his formative years in Waukesha County, where he worked many jobs and attended school. He now and again mentioned milking cows, setting pins at the bowling alley, and attending the one room school building that still (barely) stands at Jericho Corners near Eagle, WI. He walked uphill (in the snow) both ways to school and back every day, and he liked it!
Chet’s hard work and good fortune seemed to be inevitable. He quickly managed to find his place in the world and in 1959, met Kathy Schultz, whom he would soon marry and affectionately call Kathleen for the next 65 years. Through a chance meeting with a friend of a friend, and that charisma, he found employment with Gotta Tile in Kenosha, where he moved his young family in 1962. That work ethic never waivered, and after a disagreement about the direction of the business, Chet decided to partner with John Cyzak to form Dickow-Cyzak Tile in 1968, where they became known for transforming bathrooms into places of comfort and beauty. Chet and John were the two hardest-working people in Kenosha for the next 40 years. He has now officially retired.
Chet and Kathy tirelessly served their faith at First United Methodist Church during their 63 years in Kenosha. Life has brought many twists and many turns, but the one constant has always been Chet and Kathy, their family, their church, and their faith. He was disciplined in everything he did, and his quiet faith guided his amazing journey.
But Chet’s world was his home. When he wasn’t working, he was tending to his family, his friends, and his flower gardens. Known around the neighborhood as the cool dad, he often joined in the basketball games, showing off his hook shot to perfection. In time, he made great friends, including the Wells’, the Larson’s, the Hatherly’s, the Todd’s, the Lindsey’s, and many, many more. Chet and Kathy traveled the world together, visiting most of the continents, many times with these same friends.
Chet is survived by his loving wife Kathleen (Schultz) Dickow. His four children are Scott, Jeff (Patty Becker), Brad (Tammy Anderson), and Julie (Ed) Makar. Seven grandchildren, Brooke, Andrew & Luke Dickow, Brian & Zachary Dickow, and Morgan (Patrick) Tamaski & Eddie (Nina G) Makar. Sisters, Carol Dearborn & Florence Bies.
Chet is preceded in death by his parents, Gus & Alma (Johnson) Dickow. His in-laws, Richard & Fern (Bass) Schultz. Six siblings, Merle Dickow, Richard Dickow, Trudie Grunewald, Gus Dickow, Ruby Donato & Jerry Dickow.
It’s OK to send flowers if you like. Chet loved them. But it’s also OK to say a prayer in his honor, be the answer to someone else’s prayer, or just make someone’s day. Think of Chet often, and how he lived, rock steady and dependable. Serve the Lord as he served the Lord, or help someone find the Lord. And most importantly, love. Chet, and the love he brought to the world, lives on in all of us. And it will for a long time to come!
Donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Kenosha or Hospice Alliance.
A visitation will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. An Additional visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church, 919 60th Street, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Green Ridge Cemetery.
