Thomas E. Mezera, 70 of Wauzeka, passed away peacefully the evening of Oct. 5, 2025, with his daughter and sister by his side at Prairie Maison in Prairie du Chien.
Tom passed listening to his favorite song ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin. He was born to Edward and Patricia (Foley) Mezera. He graduated from Wauzeka High School in 1973 where he was a star basketball player and played on the football team.
After graduation he worked at Advance Transformer in Boscobel before entering the Military. He joined the Marine Corps for three years serving on Active Duty 1975-1978 as an 0351 Infantryman (Grunt), which he thoroughly enjoyed. Following his Active-Duty term, he enlisted into the Army National Guard with the 229th Engineer Co. serving as a Mechanic and Cook.
Tom received numerous Marksmanship badges with his M-16 along with a Good Conduct Medal. While serving he spent his time in Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Alaska and Hawaii before his honorable discharge.
After his Military service he went back to work at Advance Transformer for a few more years, married his high school sweetheart Margy Ward but soon divorced. Later he married Jayne Keller, and they moved to Florida. While there Tom was a carpenter building and installing cabinets in businesses and homes and doing repairs, maintenance and installation on large speed boats. They later divorced and Tom moved back to Wisconsin where he then held a variety of jobs from Lawn Care & Home Care Maintenace to a Machine Operator in Factories.
He married LuAnn Karash and to this union they had a daughter, Krystal and a son, Nick. They later divorced and Tom then moved back to Wauzeka, where he remained.
Tom lived and enjoyed a simple life, he had a heart of gold- always helping and giving, he loved being a Marine and held those memories close. Tom loved his family- whom he spent most of his time with. He loved his beer and cigarettes-you wouldn’t catch him without either, he loved his friends, he loved being outdoors and he had a passion for animals- which he’d save or feed every one that was in need. A simple man, given nine lives and living them all on the edge. To know him was to love him, truly.
Tom will be dearly missed by his daugher Krystal of Milwaukee, his son Nick of Janesville, his sister Becky of Wauzeka, his brother Bernie of Wauzeka and his remaining family and his friends. He is also survived by nieces Amy Geisler, Mandy Mezera, Chris Mezera and nephews, Dave Walz, Travis Check, Brad Check, Scott Geisler, Brian Geisler, Jesse Mezera and Cody Mezera. Also, Aunt Marie (George) Mezera and Aunt Alice (Foley) (Ron) Sergenian.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister Cindy Geisler, brothers-in-law Jerry Walz and his children Tony, Sarah, Frankie and infant daughter Charlotte; Rick Check; Steve Martin; Rick and Russell Kardash.
A very special thank you to Crossing Rivers Hospice care team, Prairie Maison skilled nursing team, and St. Croix Hospice care team. Everyone was absolutely the best of the best care teams a man could ever ask for so humbly…everyone made him happy and treated him with dignity and respect in his final months, weeks, days, hours and minutes. Big hugs and smiles from all of Tom’s family.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Century Hall.
The Burial with Military Honors at 11:30 a.m. at Wauzeka Cemetery and a luncheon to follow at Century Hall.
Roth Family Cremation Center in Viroqua is assisting the family.
