----Source: Thorp Courier, December 5, 2001.

Alexander Markowski

Alexander N. Markowski, age 90, of Thorp, died on Monday, November 26, 2001 at Victory Medical Center in Stanley.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2001, at St. Bernard’s-St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church, Thorp. Father John Puerner officiated and burial followed at New St. Hedwig’s Cemetery. Pallbearers were: John DeGrave, Joe Verwiel, Henry Nyckel, Ellmer Heiman, Tom Przybylski and Walter Wartolec. Visitation was held at Thorp Funeral Home on Friday, November 30, 2001 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. rosary service.

Alexander Norbert Markowski was born on May 4, 1911 north of Stanley, WI to Joseph and Angeline (Michalec) Markowski. He was raised on the family farm and educated at Eidsvold country school. After completing his education, Alex worked as a logger and also held various other jobs. During the Depression, he went to Chicago to find work, and there he enrolled in a trade school to be a machinist. After completing his machinist course, he worked as a journeyman machinist in an airplane factory.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on September 18, 1943. Alex served under General Bradley in the 7th Army with the 12th Armored Division and in the 3rd Army with the 2nd Armored Division. After his honorable discharge on February 7, 1946, Alex came back to Chicago and continued working as a machinist. On June 6, 1953 he was united in marriage to Anne Przybylski in Chicago. They moved to Thorp in 1955 and farmed until 1963. Alex then bought a larger farm south of Thorp and continued farming until his retirement in 1973. He continued living on the farm until 1993. His wife died on September 12, 1990. In 1993, Alex moved into Thorp and resided there until the time of his death. Alex had many interests, but especially enjoyed gardening, animals, the outdoors, dancing, traveling and was an accomplished musician, playing the drums, guitar, harmonica and concertina privately and at dances. He was a member of St. Bernard’s-St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Queen of Peace Council.

He is survived by two daughters: Natalie (Joseph) Verwiel of Oshkosh, WI, Pamela (John) DeGrave of Pittsburgh, PA; two grandchildren: Kara and Alex DeGrave; one brother Anton Markowski of Harrisburg, PA; and one sister Verna Juszczyk of Chicago, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Anne, six brothers: Walter, John, Stanley, Joseph Jr., Frank and Steven; and three sisters: Lillian, Ida and Emily.