Loren Cahak

Loren Joseph Cahak, age 90, passed away on June 26, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.

Loren was born in Antigo, Wis., on Feb. 28, 1930, to Edith Mary (King) and Emil Raymond Cahak.

 Loren went to 13 different schools in numerous cities while growing up, as his dad sought better job opportunities, then graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1948.

He and his best friend, Les Carlson, joined the Army after graduating, where he served for two years, then returned to Rhinelander. He began working in his dad’s grocery store and tried other sales work, selling Electrolux vacuums, Fuller brushes and meat from Schwan’s trucks.

He then became interested in a particular girl, Dorothy Marie Ehmann. They married in Rhinelander on July 5, 1952.

After about a year, he started his own grocery store, Loren’s Food Shop, which he ran for about 21 years. With the advent of supermarkets, he looked for more opportunities and started buying duplexes and became interested in real estate, which he sold for about eight years. He continued to look for buys on rental units and at one time had 56 units, which became their livelihood and provided a comfortable retirement.

Loren was a founding member of Northwoods Rental Properties, a former member of the Rhinelander Lion’s Club and a regular blood donor. He and Dorothy were very involved in St. Mary’s Church (now Nativity of Our Lord) where he ushered.

Loren and Dorothy enjoyed traveling all over the US and abroad. After retiring, they traveled the country in their RV to see their kids and stayed in Texas during the winters. They moved to Port Washington to be closer to family the last few years.

Loren is survived by his children, Joe (Beth) of Ramona, Calif., Dave (Sheila) of Bishop, Calif., Cathy (Dennis) Angell of Coon Rapids, Minn., Mary (Glen) Kraetsch of Harshaw, Amy (Scott) Hagen of Reno, Nev., Susie McVicker of Cape Carteret, N.C., Patty (Dick) Martin of Colorado Springs, Colo., Peter (Lisa) of Fort Worth, Texas, Barb (Russ) Steinmetz of Port Washington, Paul (Heidi) of Menasha and Mark (Patty) of Oak Creek.

He is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Marie (Ehmann) Cahak of 67 years in March of this year, his parents and siblings Lee, Mike, and Ollie Sonsthagen.

 A memorial service will be planned in the future.