Obit: Zurakowski, Ethel
Contact: George Plautz

----Source: The Thorp Courier March 19, 2003

Ethel Zurakowski

Ethel J. Zurakowski, a longtime resident of Thorp, peacefully entered eternal life at home, surrounded by her family on Monday, March 10, 2003, at the age of 78.

Ethel Joseph Posda was born on March 2, 1925, in the town of Stanley, the daughter of George Albert and Rose (Kudingo) Posda.

She was raised in Stanley, on the family farm and received her education at the Eagle School in Junction, WI. At the age of 14, Ethel went to work in Chicago. Ethel was united in marriage at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church, on June 28, 1947, to Lawrence John Zurakowski. They farmed in the Town of Reseburg. They also managed the operation of Mile-A-Way Bar and Dance in Thorp.

For 27 years, Ethel, helped manage and did the bookkeeping for Larry’s Service Station.

Ethel raised seven children and enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing and crocheting as well as many other crafts. Over the years, she provided many afghans and baby outfits for the family members.

She will be sadly missed by her husband of 55 years, Lawrence, of Thorp; her six children: Ronald L. (Zurakowski) Clarke of White Bear Lake, MN; Shirley M. Narlock, of Mosinee, WI; Gary R. (Lisa) Zurakowski of Mosinee, WI; Beverley E. (Bernie) Heindrich of Hatley, WI; Sharon R. (Leonard) Kilmer of Chippewa Falls, WI; Darrel G. Zurakowski of Thorp, WI; fourteen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; one sister: Agnes (Nick) Skwierczynski of Norridge, IL; three brothers: James Posda of Cudahy, WI, Florian (Dorothy) Posda of Stanley, WI, Richard Posda of Stanley, WI, and one brother-in-law, Louie Skwierczynski of Stratford, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Connie S. Zurakowski, three brothers: Walter J., Leonard J., and Frank E. Posda and two sisters: Louise D. Skwierczynski and Theresa Grendzisnki.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2003, at St Bernard’s-St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. Father John Puerner officiated and burial followed in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Daniel Posda, Jasson Heinrich, Michael Zurakowski, Austin Zurakowski and Christopher Narlock. Visitations was held at Thorp Funeral Home on Thursday, March 13, 2003, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. rosary.