Obit: Panek, Katherine E. (1913 - 2007)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Panek, Dudkiewicz, Krych, Reiner, Berdah, Jackowicz, Yurkowsky, Grzenia, Sokolowski, Sumiec

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) February 28, 2007

Panek, Katherine E. (February 6, 1913 - February 16, 2007)

Katherine E. Panek, age 94, of Thorp, passed away at her home on Friday, February 16, 2007. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Fr. Keith Apfelbeck officiated and burial followed in new St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was held on Monday, February 19, 2007 at the Thorp Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary service.

Katherine E. Krych was born on February 6, 1913 in Thorp, WI to Andrew and Agnes (Dudkiewicz) Krych. She was raised on the family farm and received her education in the Thorp area. As a young woman, Katherine moved to Green Bay to work at the Polier Market, a family business. She then moved to Chicago and worked at the Tie Tie Ribbon Factory until the later 1950’s, at which time she moved back to Thorp to care for her parents. Katherine was united in marriage to George Panek on October 10, 1970 at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. She resided in Thorp until the time of her death. Katherine was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and was a very caring person who enjoyed her coffee at the Dairy Bar with the ladies.

She will be sadly missed by her five step-children: Kathleen Reiner of Kalispell, MT, David (Shannon) Panek of Red Wing, MN, Susan Panek (Rick Schultz) of Oshkosh, Donna (Rod) Berdal of Eau Claire, and Ed Panek of Thorp; seven step-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; two brothers: Joe Krych of Lawrenceville, IL and Edmund (Val) Krych of Richfield, MN; one sister, Dolores Jackowicz of Richfield, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George on September 13, 1989; three brothers: steve, Frank and Leonard Krych; and five sisters: Theresa Yurkowsky, Ann Grzenia, Celia Sokolowski, Louise Sumiec and Rose Panek.