Obit: Wittek, Frank Joseph (1923 - 2009)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Wittek, Swiatek, Telford, Karaba, Rudnick, Rasmussen, Zegers, Baures, Goerlitz, Fortuna, Smith 
 

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) December 30, 2009  
 

Wittek, Frank Joseph (26 January 1923 - 22 December 2009)  
 

Frank Wittek, 86, Withee, died peacefully on December 22, 2009, at the Clark County Health Care Center, Owen, WI. 
 

Frank was born on January 26, 1923, in the Township of Roosevelt, Lublin, WI, to John and Mary (Swiatek) Wittek.  He was raised on a farm and attended schools in the Lublin area.  On August 4, 1945, he and Shirley Telford of Thorp were wed.  Frank and Shirley farmed for 30 years at Clark.  Frank’s love for trucking continued for years as he hauled many loads of logs, tons of gravel and numerous amounts of dirt to gardens and building sites.  On March 31, 1989, Frank was united in marriage to Shirley Karaba.  Frank was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Withee Lions, and the Knights of Columbus. 
 

Frank is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons: David (Joanne), Thorp, and Tom (Beverly), Colfax; daughter, Sue (Don) Rudnick, Thorp; stepchildren: Rod (Pat) Karaba, Rhinelander, Bonnie (Larry) Rasmussen, Joan (Mitch) Zegers, Marshfield, Sharon (Lenny) Baures, Greenwood, Tammy Karaba, Curtiss, Peggy (Al) Goerlitz, Withee, Randy (Kris) Karaba, Owen, Jana (Mark) Fortuna, Sparta, and Robbie (Marie) Karaba, Thorp; sister-in-law, Joyce Karaba; brothers-in-law: Clifford (Lila) Smith, Janesville and Donald (Norma) Telford, Eau Claire.  He is further survived by seven grandchildren, 31 step-grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 21 step-great-grandchildren and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends. 
 

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Shirley; infant son, Michael; step-daughter, Donna; five sisters: Rose, Lillian, Stella, Sophia, and Veronica; and two brothers: John and Peter. 
 

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 28^th, at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Owen, WI.  Friends and family called at the church beginning at 12:00 on Monday, December 28^th.  Burial followed the service at Riverside Cemetery, Withee, WI.