Vernon E. Trecek

October 30, 1935 – January 5, 2025

PORTAGE - Vernon E. Trecek, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, at Tivoli Assisted Living in Portage, WI, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on October 30, 1935, in Boscobel, WI, Vern was the second son of Joe and Isa Trecek. He graduated from Boscobel High School in 1954 and earned a degree in business marketing from Carroll College in Waukesha, WI, in 1958. From 1958 to 1964, he served in the United States Army Reserve and received an honorable discharge.

On June 28, 1959, he married the love of his life, Marlene Hubanks, at the Methodist Church in Boscobel. The couple began their married life in Baraboo, where Vern worked for GMAC. His career later took them to Green Bay, where he continued with GMAC and met legendary Packers quarterback Bart Starr at their Methodist Church. This meeting sparked his lifelong passion for the Green Bay Packers, marked by his purchase of season tickets, a tradition his family continues to enjoy.

In 1963, Vern embarked on a career in the retail automotive business, joining Hult Chevrolet (later Thorstad Chevrolet) in Madison. He started as a Salesperson, and worked his way up to General Sales Manager over a 19-year period. In 1982, he was approved by General Motors to start his own dealership, purchasing Hill Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Portage, WI. Originally named Trecek Chevrolet Oldsmobile, it was renamed to Trecek Automotive of Portage, in 1998, when Leahy Motor Sales in Portage was acquired. Today, Trecek Automotive of Portage continues as a second generation family owned dealership representing Chevrolet, Buick-GMC as its franchises.

His accomplishments in the automotive industry were exceptional. He served on the Chevrolet Dealer Counsel from 1984-85 and again from 1992-93 Assisting in the development of plans and programs whose goal was to achieve more and better satisfied Chevrolet owners. He was a board member for the Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association (WATDA) for many years and was on multiple committees. In addition, he served as board chairman in 1996. In 1999 he was appointed to the Board of Governance for General Motors Oldsmobile Division. This group of dealers were responsible for advising GM executives on the development and marketing of the Aurora and other future models within the Oldsmobile division. In addition, in 2004 he was honored as the Wisconsin nominee for the TIME Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award. He was one of five finalists in the country for this prestigious award, which was a truly remarkable achievement for a small-town automotive dealership.

He was deeply dedicated to his community. He served on the Portage Chamber of Commerce Board from 1984-1996 and was a member of the Portage Rotary Club. He supported numerous organizations, including the Portage Library, and he was an avid supporter of the Portage High School Automotive Advisory Council which is an AYES Automotive Youth Apprenticeship Program. As a board member for Divine Savior Hospital, he helped spearhead a capital campaign to raise $33 million dollars for the new hospital which opened in October 2003. This campus now includes the Tivoli Senior Living Community and LaVita Wellness Center. He was very proud to have personally contributed financially to the construction of this beautiful healthcare complex. He was also a member of the Portage United Methodist Church.

Vern loved his Wednesday golf league, where he enjoyed meeting up with friends and socializing—one of his favorite pastimes. He took great pride in his beautiful lakefront home and found joy in maintaining its immaculate lawn and landscaping. Vern and his wife, Marlene, shared a love for traveling, snow birding in Fountain City, Arizona, and attending their grandchildren’s events, rarely missing a single one. Above all, Vern treasured his family. His happiest moments were when his children and grandchildren gathered at the lake house to spend time together.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marlene, and their children: Linda (Jim Harms) Trecek, Dennis Trecek, and Amy (Mike) Herzberg. He is cherished by his grandchildren: Jackson (Tori) Comeau, Nickolas (Sierra Rehberg) Comeau, Joseph Comeau, Gracie Comeau, Bailee Paddock, Breanne (Mason Wyland) Paddock, Hannah Trecek, Kelsey (Billy) Mateske, and Lindsey (Dan) Johnson; as well as his great-grandchildren, Crosby and Murphy Comeau. Vern is further survived by his brother, Joseph Trecek; sisters, Jean Mortenson and Joyce (Cecil) Parker; brother-in-law, Arnold Harris; sister-in-law, Anita Hubanks; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Bud Hubanks and Peter Mortenson, and sister-in-law, Lucretia Harris.

A memorial service to honor Vern’s life will be held at the Portage United Methodist Church at 1804 New Pinery Rd., Portage, Wisconsin, on Friday, January 31, 2025, at noon, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Dementia Society of America at www.dementiasociety.org/memorials.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate care staff at Tivoli Nursing Home and Agrace Hospice.

Arrangements are being handled by Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage.