Surnames: Klak, Tomkowiak, Wargolet, Dobiesz, Kmieciak

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 01/20/1944

Klak, Frances (1 MAR 1870 - 12 JAN 1944)

Death has again called another of our early settlers of this community. Spending over half a century on a farm near Thorp, Clark Co., Wis., Mrs. Frances Klak will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

Death came as quietly and beautiful as her life. She passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jan. 12, 1944, following a short illness of pneumonia and a cardiac ailment.

Frances Tomkowiak was born in Poland, March 1, 1870, having reached the age of 73 years, 10 months and 11 days. In 1887 she came to Philadelphia, Penn., and was married to Ignatius Klak the following year. To this happy union 14 children were born, 2 passing in infancy.. In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Klak moved to a farm northwest of Thorp, where they have resided ever since. Mr. Klak passed away a year ago, on the 19th of January, 1943.

No pillar - No bronze or marble shaft could in strength compare with the beautiful memories we are left with. Always eager to lend a helping hand, a friendly smile. She was a wonderful mother, a good friend, a fine neighbor living a good Christian life. God has taken her from out midst, but in our minds she only sleeps. Memories of her will never die; they shall be refreshed at every thought.

She leaves to mourn her passing, 12 children, Harriet Klak, Winnetka, Ill., Commander John J. Klak, Washington, D.C., Commander Geo. Klak, Pacific Fleet, Petty Officer Joseph Klak, Atlantic Fleet, Stanley and All, Chicago, Ill., Helen (Mrs. A. Wargolet) and Walter, Milwaukee, Wis., Frances (Mrs. F. Dobiesz), Eau Claire, Wis., Michael, San Francisco, Calif., Nick, Milan, Michigan, Anthony, Rhinelander, Wis., 24 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; also a brother, Mr. Martin Tomkowiak, and a sister, Mrs. V. Kmieciak.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at St. Hedwig’s Church. She was laid to rest in the parish cemetery. The pallbearers were: Peter Mendalski, Tom Choders, Frank Kowalski, Joseph Rogalski, Jacob Sniegowski and Frank Wycawski.