Vincent Kaczinski

Vincent A. Kaczinski, 77, a resident of Long Grove, Iowa passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus in Davenport, Iowa.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at the Chambers Funeral Home of Eldridge, Iowa.  Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Vincent gave the gift of life by being an organ & tissue donor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Long Grove Volunteer Fire Department.  Following the service, the family will host a light luncheon at the Long Grove Community Center.

Vincent Anastasius Francis Kaczinski was born on November 25, 1935 at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Anastasius & Malinda (Pestka) Kaczinski who had emigrated from West Prussia, Germany.

Vince or “Vinnie” as he was known in certain circles was raised in Plugtown, Iowa where he attended Plugtown School.  He began his high school years at Elvira High School and then moved to the DeWitt, Iowa area where the family farmed.  Vince graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in DeWitt in 1953 where he was crowned Homecoming King his senior year.

Vince enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1954 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California.  He was honorably discharged in 1955 to work the family farm following the death of his mother.  He continued to serve in the 9 ^th Marine Corps Reserve.

In early 1955, Vince met Marlene “Tootie” Kappeler at Fairyland Ballroom in rural Scott County.  They enjoyed dancing at various coliseums throughout the area.  Vince proposed marriage to Marlene at Fairyland and they were united in marriage on August 31, 1957 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport.  They began their married life living in DeWitt and raised five children.  Vince & Marlene celebrated their 55 ^th wedding anniversary last August.

Vince worked a variety of jobs as a young husband, the first with Porth Plumbing & Heating of DeWitt.  They then moved to Bettendorf, Iowa where he took a job as a maintenance worker on the Bettendorf I-74 twin bridges.  Remarkably, even with a fear of heights, he was credited with saving the life of a young man who had climbed onto the bridge girders to jump.  As reported in the Quad-City Times-Democrat, “Vince climbed through the girders and placed a rope around the man so he could be hauled to safety.”

His next employment opportunity came with United Parcel Service where he worked his way from packer, to driver, to District Supervisor.  He retired from UPS in 1976.  Vince then worked for the North Scott School District as head groundskeeper from 1976 until his retirement in 1997.

After his retirement from UPS, Vince & Marlene purchased an acreage north of Donahue, Iowa where they built their dream home and enjoyed farming as a hobby.  In October of 1990, Vince was severely injured in a farming accident and lost his right arm.  As anyone who had known him would attest, it was his “ornery” German/Polish heritage that saved his life.  Vince did not let the loss of his arm deter him.  He continued to work for North Scott Schools with the use of prosthetic arm and continued with his enjoyment of work on the farm.

Vince & Marlene sold the Donahue acreage in 1999 and purchased a home in Long Grove, Iowa.

“Vinnie” enjoyed scaring his grandchildren and any other unsuspecting souls with his “hook” arm.  He also got a kick out of putting the grandkids on the spot with questions about their love interests.  The twinkle in his blue eyes was a dead giveaway that they were about to be put in the hot seat.

Another of Vince’s loves was his daily drive and his Sunday morning drives with Marlene to Flapjack’s in Maquoketa, Iowa.  He also loved working in his garden, maintaining his large, beautiful yard and cruising through Long Grove on his tractor…assisting neighbors or being “just plain nosey.”   He was always happy with friends sharing a beer and some laughs at Lancer’s or Al & Gerry’s in Eldridge.  In earlier years, Vince loved a good round of golf, fishing and coaching boy’s Little League Baseball.

Vince was fan of John Wayne movies, the Chicago Bears, the New York Yankees and the Iowa Hawkeyes.  He also loved having his large brood over to the house for family get-togethers; however, his biggest joy was when they finally left!

Most evenings, weather permitting; you could find him enjoying a beer and his pipe on the deck.

Vince is lovingly remembered and survived by his wife of 55 years, Marlene; his five children, Brenda Lee (Rich) Madsen, Collett (Danny) Gillam, all of Bettendorf; Scott Vincent (Annette) Kaczinski of Charlotte, Iowa; Jeff Kaczinski of Chicago, Illinois and Denise (Drew) Poshard of Bay Minette, Alabama; his grandchildren, Luke, Brandon (Molly), Nick (Amanda), Jessica (Shane), Robyn (Terry), J.B. (Jenni), Jeremy, Taylor, Eli, Josye, Madlin, Gil & Piper; his great-grandchildren, Mason, Jay, Coy Vincent, Brianna & Darren; his sister, Bette (Bob) Keim; his brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Bob & Arline Kappeler, Wayne & Lee Kappeler, Myron & Laverda Puck and Deane Warnecke.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John and Marcellus; his sisters-in-law, Arline Kaczinski and Maxine Warnecke; and his parents-in-law, Adie & Malinda Puck.

Those who knew him well know that behind his tough exterior was a kind, sweet, compassionate man.  With love, Vince, until we meet again.