----Sources: Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.) 17 July 2004

Ciolkosz, Edward Lawrence (28 Jan. 1939 - 14 July 2004)

Edward Lawrence Ciolkosz, age 65, lifelong resident of the town of Thorp, passed away on July 14, 2004, at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire.

Ed was born on January 28, 1939, in the town of Thorp, Clark County, the son of Louis and Victoria (Opon) Ciolkosz. He grew up in the rural Thorp area and attended area schools. He served his country in the Wisconsin National Guard, active duty in Fort Lewis, Wash., from 1961 to 1962. He was then united in marriage to Julia Derks on October 15, 1962, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Boyd, Wis., and took over the family farm in the town of Thorp, residing there ever since. He farmed with a great passion for the land and all of its surroundings. He was an active member of the St. Mary’s Czestochowa Catholic Church, was a member of the church choir and served as president for the cemetery association for the past eight years. He served as chairman for the town of Thorp for the past five years, and previously as Town supervisor for five years. Ed loved his family very much, and enjoyed being around people. He was also an avid hunter and enjoyed the outdoors. His motto was ?Lead, follow or get out of the way.? May he now be a leader in paradise and sing in the heavenly choir.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Julia; five sons, James (Candace) Ciolkosz of Cadott, Wis., Michael Ciolkosz of Stanley, Wis., David (Jessica) Ciolkosz of Boyd, Wis., William (Bridget) Ciolkosz of Thorp and John (Lana) Ciolkosz of Thorp; five daughters, Rosanne (Brian) Benzschawel of Withee, Wis., Judith (Roy) Lato of Thorp, Maribeth Ciolkosz of New Brighton, Minn., Tammy (Dino) Raether of Thorp and Cynthia (Kevin) Freese of Thorp; 19 grandchildren with three more due in August; three brothers, Leonard (Joanne) of Minocqua, Wis., Ronald (Alice) of Thorp and Mitchell (Pat) of Bloomer; three sisters, Virginia Burzynski of Thorp, Dolores (Bill) Patterson of Venice, Fla., and Bernadette Jakubowicz of Cornell; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Erwin Ciolkosz.

Services will be held on Monday, July 19, 2004, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary?s Czestochowa Catholic Church in rural Stanley, with Father Edmund Klimek officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery, with military graveside rites performed by the Thorp VFW Post 9057. Pallbearers will be the five sons, James, Michael, David, William and John Ciolkosz and one nephew, Randy Ciolkosz.

Friends and family may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday evening at Plombon Funeral Chapel in Stanley, Wis.

Plombon Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.