Obit: Mendalski, Patrick Francis (1926 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Mendalski, Gruber, Michur, Crow, Smith, Baron, Mendal, Mano

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) May 18, 2011

Mendalski, Patrick Francis (17 March 1926 - 13 May 2011) With Flag

Patrick Francis Mendalski, age 85, of Waukegan, IL, formerly of Thorp, died on Friday, May 13, 2011.

Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) May 25, 2011

Patrick Francis Mendalski, age 85, of Waukegan, Illinois, died on Friday, May 13, 2011, due to complications of emphysema.  A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at Thorp Funeral Home, in Thorp, WI. Rev. John Mano will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Thorp American Legion Post #118. Visitation will be held at the funeral home, on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until time of service.

Patrick was born on March 17, 1926, in a cabin in the woods of Cornell, Wisconsin, the son of John and Mary Louise (Gruber) Mendalski.  He graduated from Thorp High School in 1945. After serving in WWII as a paratrooper, Patrick married Estelle Elizabeth Michur and lived in Thorp and Michigan before buying his home in Waukegan where he lived out the rest of his life.  Patrick and Estelle were married 41 years and had 5 children together.

Patrick was a retired plumber and member of Plumbers Local 93 for 58 years.

During his lifetime, he remodeled his home, built a third garage-workshop and built a solar system for his home.

Patrick was very active in his retirement.  He fixed bicycles, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners, etc.  He could fix anything.  Patrick would go to the Senior Center daily to exercise, eat lunch, and socialize, playing pool and putting puzzles together.  He volunteered to teach people how to use the computer.  He loved dancing and danced up to three times a week with his dancing buddies and attended many Senior Prom Dances.

Patrick also spent time every day with "the guys" at the neighborhood McDonald’s.  His friends and neighbors were very kind and loving to him during the last days of his life.

Our thanks to Midwest Hospice for their outstanding care and support and the love they gave our Dad.

Patrick is survived by his five children: Robert Dale Mendalski, Cheryl Elaine Mendalski, David Allen (Mary) Mendalski, Patricia Elizabeth Crow, and Regina Rae (David) Smith; four grandchildren: Fafnir Bobbie Crow, Giani Elizabeth Crow, David William (DJ) Smith, Jr., and Steven Michael Smith; and two great-grandchildren: Anthony Baron and Daneila Baron.

Patrick is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: George Mendal and Herman Mendalski, and twin brothers that died in infancy; and his ex-wife, Estelle Mendalski, who passed away on June 2, 2009.

In lieu of flowers, Patrick would be pleased if memorials were made to the Thorp High School Alumni Association College Scholarship Fund at: Thorp Alumni Association, P. O. Box 75, Thorp, Wisconsin 54771