Obit: Sheblak, Mary (1872 - 1964)

Contact: Linda O’Donnell
Email: lindao@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Shelblak, Klecknh, Lesniewski, Polnaszek, Vanderhyden, Hedler, Bogumill, Soderberg

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., Wis.) 24 Nov 1964

Sheblak, Mary (18 MAY 1872 - 11 DEC 1964)

Mrs. Mary Sheblak, nee Klecknh, was born May 18, 1872 in Essen, Germany and come to this country as a young child. The journey was made in an old sailing vessel in stormy weather and required six weeks. The family lived in Buffalo, New York a short time, then came to Thorp and settled on a farm northeast of the city. Shortly after marriage to Joseph Sheblak at Edson on May 16, 1893, they made their home in the village of Thorp. Both she and her husband spent many hours raising and planting flowers and trees, and beautifying the yard. As a very young girl, she learned to knit and put this accomplishment to good use in helping the Red Cross during the World Wars and Korean Conflict. In Milwaukee, where she made her home the last seventeen years with her daughter, she was very active as a volunteer knitter in the Red Cross, knitting dozens of pairs of socks, sweaters, afghans, or whatever was needed.

She passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Michael Lesniewski, in Milwaukee on Friday, Dec. 11, 1964 at the age of ninety-two years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, who died in March 1936, a son Frank in August 1954 and an infant son. Surviving is one daughter, Mrs. Dora Lesniewski of Milwaukee.

The remains were brought to the Thorp Funeral Home here and lay in state until the time of the funeral services, which were held at St. Bernard's Catholic Church on Monday morning, Dec. 14th, with interment following in the parish cemetery here. Father Francis Brockman officiated at the services. Pallbearers were Tom Polnaszek, Wilfred Vanderhyden, Leo Hedler, Fred Hedler, Ed Bogumill and Pat Soderberg.