Obit: Kokaly, Rudolph William "Rudie" #2 (1915 - 2007)

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

Surnames: Kokaly, Krizmanic, Vitort, Masik, Morin, Mathwig, Boh, Feitl, Brown

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) May 9, 2007

Kokaly, Rudolph William "Rudie (December 5, 1915 - May 6, 2007)

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Rudolph W. "Rudie" Kokaly, age 91, of Thorp, died at his residence on Sunday, May 6, 2007. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Fr. Keith Apfelbeck officiated and burial followed at Riverside Cemetery in Withee with military rites conducted by the Thorp American Legion Post #118. Visitation was held at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Rudolph William Kokaly was born on December 5, 1915 in Willard, WI (Township of Hendren) to Frank and Antonia (Krizmanic) Kokaly. He attended elementary school in the Willard area and graduated from Greenwood High School. Rudie was inducted into the U.S. Army on July 27, 1943 and served during WWII until his discharge on March 31, 1946. He was united in marriage to Stella J. (Vitort) Masik on February 11, 1956 at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. Rudie worked for many years as a lineman for Dairyland Power Company until his retirement. Stella and Rudie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on February 11, 2006. Stella died on April 20, 2006. He continued to reside in Thorp until the time of his death.

He was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, Thorp American Legion Post #118, was an active volunteer in the community, and had many interests, but especially enjoyed fishing, deer hunting and traveling.

He is survived by two step-daughters: Carol Morin of Maplewood, MN and Bonnie (John) Mathwig of Bonita Springs, FL; five step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Ann Boh of Marshfield and Carolyn Feitl of LaGrange Park, IL; one brother-in-law, Lowell Brown of Eau Claire; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Stella; one step-grandson, Tim Morin; three sisters: Sylvia Boh, Mary Kokaly, and Matilda Brown; and five brothers: Frank Jr., Francis, Anton, Martin, and Darwin Kokaly.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.