Obit: Wojcik, Leo J. (1922 - 2009)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wojcik, Stoetzel, Patulski, King, Knauf, Iwanski, Kreklau, Griepnetrog, Degenhardt, Gamble, Roth

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Friday, 16 Jan. 2009

Wojcik, Leo J. (4 Apr. 1922 - 13 Jan. 2009)

Leo J. Wojcik Sr., 86, of Spencer, Wisconsin died Jan. 13, 2009, at the Golden Living Center Continental Manor, Abbotsford, where he was a resident for the last 81/2 years.

A Catholic funeral service with a Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Church in Spencer at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. until the time of service. The Rev. Charles Stoetzel will officiate. Leo's grandsons will serve as pallbearers; Jamie, Cliff, Josh, Matthew, Douglas and Ben. A private burial will be held at a later date. Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home, Spencer is assisting the family with arrangements.

Leo J. Wojcik Sr. was born April 4, 1922, in the town of Brighton, the son of Stanley Sr. and Anna (Patulski) Wojcik. He attended Brighton School in the township of Brighton. He worked on his father's farm until he married Loretta (King) Wojcik on April 23, 1946, at St. John Baptist Church in Edgar, officiated by Father Edwin Knauf. Leo was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.

Leo worked as a woodsman in his earlier years of marriage. Leo and Loretta worked together on the Schreinder Farms in Bakerville doing field work and milking. He also worked at the paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids. In 1948, they bought an 80-acre farm east of Spencer. They later purchased his father's 120-acre farm in 1953. They retired from farming in 1980 and traveled the United States visiting family and friends.

Leo was selected as an Outstanding Retired Farmer in 1989. He enjoyed working with draft horses and going to horse pulls in the area. He also had a pride of John Deere tractors on the farm. Leo and Loretta were members of Christ the King Catholic Church and Leo was a member of the Holy Name Society.

Leo is survived by his children; Leo (Joan) Wojcik Jr., MaryAnn (Roger) Griepentrog, Theresa (James) Degenhardt, and Dennis (Donna) Wojcik all of Spencer and Gerri (Lee) Gamble of Edgerton. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Sarah, Ben, Jamie, Cliff, Josh, Carissa, Rebecca, Matthew, Douglas, Danielle, Darla, Caitlin, Emma and by 12 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his two brothers, Frank Wojcik of Arpin, and Joseph (Nancy) Wojcik of Illinois; and sister, Anna (Wojcik) Roth of Wauwatosa.

He is predeceased by his wife Loretta; parents; daughter Cecilia Ann Wojcik; brothers, John, Adam, Stanley, Peter and Theodore; sisters Josephine Iwanski and Leocodia Kreklau; and one infant sister.

Donations are appreciated, a memorial to be established in Leo's name at a later date.