Obit: Bayuk, Josephine Joann #2 (1922 - 2007)

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

Surnames: Bayuk, Jordan, Slivnik, Zima, Nauertz, Schrank, Polzin, Phelps, Hoerer, Jolivette, Zimmerman

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 9 May 2007

Bayuk, Josephine Joann (18 Dec. 1922 - 1 May 2007)

Josephine Joann Zima Bayuk

WILLARD -- Josephine Bayuk, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend was welcomed home Tuesday, May 1, 2007.

All services will be held at Holy Family Parish in Willard. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and at 10 a.m. Friday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday with burial following at the Holy Family Cemetery.

She was born Dec. 18, 1922, in St. Stephen, Minn., the second child of James and Gertrude Slivnik Zima. She grew up a country girl. She attended St. Stephen School and remained closely connected with her Minnesota roots throughout her life. In 1939, while working as a domestic in St. Cloud, Minn., she met Edward Bayuk and began a seven-year courtship. They were married Sept. 17, 1946, in St. Stephen. This past fall, Jo and Ed celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends in Willard.

Josephine was a devoted wife and mother. Her family meant everything to her and she lived and taught the values of faith, hard work, honesty, integrity and humor to each of her 13 children. Despite losing her sight during the last years of her life, she never lost sight of what was important to her, her unshakable faith and her final goal.

Josephine loved tending her flowerbeds and vegetable gardens and made delicious Slovenian potica and apple strudel. She treasured her happy times with friends, sharing stories and memories.

A lifelong member of Holy Family Parish, Josephine was a faithful and devout servant of God. She found particular comfort, inspiration and guidance through prayer, especially the Rosary, thanks to her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her homecoming occurred the first day of May, the month dedicated to Mary in the church.

She belonged to the Parish Council of Catholic Women and the Willard Merry Homemakers. For many years, she and Ed enjoyed playing pinochle at the church card parties, attending Slovenska Druzba celebrations and working at the annual church bazaar.

She loved music and laughter, spring flowers and the month of May. She shared her serene spirit with all who knew her, and she will be missed.

She is survived by her dear husband, Edward, who cared for her in her final years; and 13 children, including Richard of Chicago, Colette (Paul) Jordan of Granton, Mary (Gary) Nauertz of Neillsville, Chuck (Sherry Schrank) of Waunakee, Christine (Mark) Polzin of Byron, Minn., John of Willard, Tim (Joan) of Wautoma, Tom (Reba) of Wakeeney, Kan., Edward Jr. (Kathy) of Loyal, Teresa (Larry) Jolivette of Eau Claire, Rose Mary (Ken Hoerer) of Madison, and Janet (Jim) Phelps of Rockford, Ill. She is also survived by her sister, Marie (Bob) Zimmerman of Boise, Idaho; 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Gertrude Zima; sisters, Betty and Eleanor; brother, Richard; and two grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Family Parish Trust Fund and Ministry Home Care Hospice Services of Marshfield.