Obit: Kowalczyk, Alex "Cap" A. (1912 - 2007)
Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kowalczyk, Pasyk, Lange, Opachan, Lencz, Duffy, Bujak, Gonstead, Kent

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) February 21, 2007

Kowalczyk, Alex "Cap" A (July 4, 1912 - February 14, 2007)

Alex A. "Cap" Kowalczyk, age 94, of Gilman, WI, passed away on February 14, 2007 at the Zastrow Care Center, Gilman, WI. A Christian Burial Mass was held on Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Gilman, WI with Fr. John Long officiating. Burial followed in the parish cemetery. Visitation was on Friday evening from 4-8 p.m. with a 7:30 Rosary being recited. Plombon Funeral Service of Gilman, WI assisted with arrangements.

Alex was born July 4, 1912 in Sobieski, WI, the son of John & Anna (Pasyk) Kowalczyk. He grew up in Polley, WI and attended area rural schools. He was united in marriage to Alma "Toots" Lange on October 29, 1933 in Jamestown, N.D. After their marriage they farmed for several years in Gilman, WI and Alex also drove school bus for 10 years. After farming they owned and operated the Bar-Café for 18 years. After retirement he did carpentry work in the area. He was the Gilman Fire Chief from 1957-1976 and in his spare time enjoyed gardening, and playing cards. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grand, great, and great-great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his three sons: Donald "Jim" (Nettie) Kowalczyk of Boyd, WI, Robert Kowalczyk of Minneapolis, MN, and Tom Kowalczyk of Gilman, WI; one daughter, Janice Opachan of Ladysmith, WI; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grand-children; five great-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Mary (Frank) Lencz and Edna Duffy of Milwaukee, WI, and Rose Bujak of Chicago, IL; and one brother, Joe Kowalczyk of Loyal, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alma "Toots" on August 13, 1985; two brothers: Gus and Frank Kowalczyk; one sister, Sophie Gonstead; one granddaughter Candace Kent; one great-grandson, Erik Kowalczyk and one son-in-law, John Opachan.