RICHARD J. GRZYWA

Richard “Dick” J. Grzywa, of Sycamore, formerly of Maple Park, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday March 1, 2023 at the age of 86.

Richard was born to loving parents, John and Barbara (Koziol) Grzywa on March 17, 1936, in Fullerton, Nebraska.

In 1943, his family moved to Maple Park, Illinois where they started farming.

Richard graduated from Maple Park High School with the class of 1954. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served for 2 years, until his tour ended in Germany. Richard started farming with his father upon arriving home from the Army.

In 1959, through a mutual friend, Richard and Geraldine Werner’s paths would cross. Knowing that Geraldine was a fan of horses, Richard asked her on a date to a horse show. This was the start of their love story, and on October 29, 1960 the two were happily united in marriage at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Maple Park, where they were both members.

Richard and Geraldine continued farming, raising three sons and a daughter. The couple shared a love for “Polka Dancing” which they enjoyed many weekends up in Antioch, Illinois at the Blue Canary with countless friends. It was there that Richard began his love for the “button box”. Richard and Geraldine took their love for the polka to the Harvard Moose Lodge and countless other polka places in Wisconsin. The latest place was Turner Hall in Monroe, Wisconsin where he sometimes joined in with Keith Zweifel and the Zweifel Brothers Band. To his last day Richard loved to put his fingers on that beloved button box.

 In 1982, their oldest son Jeff would join them in farming until the year 2000, when Richard retired from farming. Richard continued working, helping out good friends in their grocery store until they sold the business. He then went on to work for Brown’s, and then Hy-Vee grocery store where he was employed to his final day always enjoying the opportunity to see new and old friends that came into the store.

Richard also stayed busy helping his youngest son, Bill on the farm, as well as, playing his beloved button box. Richard played his button box at local nursing homes, the dance hall in Monroe, Wisconsin, the Threshing Bee in Sycamore, any chance he had to join in for few tunes at a local pub and at family functions where all would enjoy listening to his music.

Richard was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and the Maple Park American Legion Post #312.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Geraldine Grzywa; his children: Jeffery Grzywa, Daniel Grzywa, William (Kristine) Grzywa, and Jayne Grzywa; his grandchildren: Danny, Cody and Josie; and his brothers, John “Jack” Grzywa and Theodore “Ted” Grzywa.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, John and Barbara Grzywa; and his siblings: Virgil Grzywa, Joan Grzywa, and Dorothy Grzywa.

The family will hold a visitation in Richard’s honor on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119 from 4-7 P.M.  A funeral Mass will be held at 10 A.M. on Saturday, March 11^th at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 123 S. County Line Rd., Maple Park, IL. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Maple Park.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Richard’s name. Checks may be made to the “Richard Grzywa Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes may be forwarded to the same address, left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.