Obit: Wittek, Frank Joseph (1923 - 2009)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

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

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Friday, 25 Dec. 2009 
 

Wittek, Frank Joseph (26 Jan. 1923 - 22 Dec. 2009) 
 

WITHEE -- Frank Joseph Wittek, 86, Withee, died peacefully on Dec. 22, 2009, at the Clark County Health Care Center, Owen. 
 

Frank was born on Jan. 26, 1923, in the town of Roosevelt, Lublin, to John and Mary (Swiatek) Witek. He grew up on a farm and attended schools in the Lublin area. On Aug. 4, 1945, he and Shirley Telford of Thorp were wed. Frank and Shirley farmed for 30 years in Clark County. 
 

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 (Karaba); sons, David (Joanne) of Thorp and Tom (Beverly) of Colfax; and a daughter, Sue (Don Rudnick), Thorp; stepchildren, Rod (Pat) Karaba of Rhinelander, Bonnie (Larry) Rasmussen and Joan (Mitch) Zegers of Marshfield, Sharon (Lenny) Baures of Greenwood, Tammy Karaba of Curtiss, Peggy (Al) Goerlitz of Withee, Randy (Kris) Karaba of Owen, Jana (Mark) Fortuna of Sparta, and Robbie (Marie) Karaba of Thorp; a sister-in-law, Joyce Karaba; and brothers-in-law, Clifford (Lila) Smith of Janesville and Donald (Norma) Telford of Eau Claire. 
 

He is further survived by seven grandchildren, 31 stepgrandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, 21 stepgreat-grandchildren, and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends. 
 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley (nee Telford) Wittek; infant son, Michael; stepdaughter, Donna; five sisters, Rose, Lillian, Stella, Sophie and Veronica; and two brothers, John and Peter. 
 

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Owen. Friends and family may call at the church beginning at noon Monday. Burial will follow the service in Riverside Cemetery, Withee.