Obit: Sowieja, Josephine M. (1932 - 2007)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Sowieja, Vesel, Schuette, Bergland

----Sources: Loyal TRG 12 December 2007

Sowieja, Josephine M. (6 DEC 1932 - 5 DEC 2007)

Josephine M. "Jo" Sowieja, 74, Stevens Point,, 74, Stevens Point, formerly of Greenwood, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007, at Marilyn Anderson Hospice Care Center, Madison, following a hard fought battle with cancer. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greenwood, along with a memorial service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Josephine M. Vesel was born on Dec. 6, 1932 in Greenwood, to John and Margaret (nee Schuette) Vesel. She attended St. Mary’s Parochial School and graduated from Greenwood Community High School in the class of 1950. She married Eugene "Gene" Sowieja on March 31, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greenwood, and resided in Greenwood where they raised their six sons. She worked as produce manager at the Greenwood IGA store for a number of years and upon her husband’s retirement as director of public works for Greenwood, they moved to Escondido, Calif. While in Escondido, they jointly managed an apartment complex for nine years, and then returned to Wisconsin to be closer to their children and grandchildren, settling in Stevens Point. She enjoyed working as hostess for Anthony’s Supper Club in Stevens Point and also had several residential cleaning jobs to help occupy her free time. She had pastimes of crocheting afghans for family and friends, and was an ace with crossword puzzles and word games. She was also very active in organizing and assisting with the Gene Sowieja Memorial Golf Outing to raise money for an activity fund in the namesake of her husband and brother-in-law, Jerry Sowieja, at Greenwood High School. She had a passion for baking and cooking awesome meals for her family and friends. While living in Stevens Point, she was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include six sons , Gene (Lonni) Sowieja, Madison, Tom Sowieja, Silt, Colo., Dave (Nancy) Sowieja, Stevens Point, Rob (Lisa) Sowieja, Madison, Ron (Judy) Sowieja, Greenwood, and John (Nan) Sowieja, Rifle, Colo,; one sister, Margaret, Bergland, Mich.; two brothers, Robert (Viv) Vesel, Greenwood, and Ray (Delores) Vesel, Rock Falls, Ill.; along with seven granddaughters, Tamera, Kari, Kelsey, Crystal, Claurice, Lindsey, and McKenzie; two grandsons, Aaron and Zack; and two great granddaughters, Arianna and Taylor.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Gene, in April 1999; and her brothers, John (WWII P.O.W.), Bernard and Charles.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to: Gene and Larry Sowieja Memorial Activity Fund, Greenwood School District, 306 W. Central Ave., Greenwood, WI 54437. This fund was established after the death of her husband, Gene, by her nephew, Charles A. Sowieja. She was supportive and proud to have such an honor given to her husband’s namesake with this memorial fund.

Her sense of humor, love, and attribute of helping others will be greatly missed.

Responses

Re: Obit: Sowieja, Josephine M. (1932 - 2007)

Contact: Tom Sowieja
Email:  tjsowieja@hotmail.com

Following are corrections to this obituary:

granddaughter: Tamra, not Tamera and Contributions should be made to: Gene and Jerry Sowieja Memorial Activity Fund, not Gene and Larry.

Thank you.