----Source: TRIBUNE-RECORD-GLEANER (Loyal, Wis.) 12/04/2002

Kozlowski, Walter (1 Jan 1916 - 25 NOV 2002)

Walter Kozlowski, 86, Neillsville, Clark County, Wis., died on Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at the Palliative Care Unit of Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 30, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Neillsville. Music was provided by Sharon Nemitz, organist. The Rev. Timothy Biebert officiated. Burial was in the Neillsville City Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council. Pallbearers were Kip Beck, Tim Kren, Gary Meihak, Jim Reichenbach, Bill Riddle and Bill Zilk.

Walter Kozlowski was born on Jan. 1, 1916, in Chicago, to Jake and Justine Kozlowski. He attended school in Chicago until his family moved to a farm in the town of Levis, where he finished his schooling in the Cannonville Grade School. He worked with a construction company and helped build the Neillsville High School and the Neillsville Memorial Medical Center. In June 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged in December 1945 and returned home. He married Vi Jagalow. They later divorced. He married Mabel Silke on Nov. 18, 1954, in Black River Falls. He worked with the city of Neillsville, advancing to be the director of public works for 32 years until he retired. He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Neillsville. His interests included building kites and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Mabel; three sons, Willard (Betsy) Kozlowski, Waben, Minn., Edwin Kozlowski, Eau Claire, and Donald Kozlowski, Black River Falls; one daughter, Barbara (Jim) Severson, Black River Falls; one stepson, Harold "Pete" (Sue) Ewing, Neillsville; one stepdaughter, Margaret (Walter) Michalak, Neillsville; 10 grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; four step-great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lillian (Bernard) Jepsen, Milwaukee, and Dorothy (Joe) Raida, Chicago; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers; three sisters; and one step-great-grandchild.