Obit: Czajka, Edmund John (1918 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Czajka, Zmslony, Machkovech, Ferron, Hoch Weirichs, Raker, Radetski, Erwin, Interiano

----Source: Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, July 2011

Czajka, Edmund John (28 October 1918 - 1 July 2011)

Equestrian champion Edmund John Czajka now rides in the beyond swift and sure on his companion horse Star, as on July 1, 2011 he quietly left this earth.  Born October 28, 1918 in Thorp, Wisconsin Edmund "Eddie" was the second of eight children born to Polish immigrants Joseph and Mary (Zmslony) Czajka.

A long time area farmer, Eddie lived the changes of working the farm fields with horse drawn machinery, to steel wheeled equipment, to the excitement of the day in which the family purchased a rubber wheeled tractor.   During WWII, he and his brother John not only farmed, but worked in the local canning factory, because of the shortage of help.  As an individual proud of his Polish decent, Eddie was a faithful member of St. Michael’s Parish, the Holy Name Society of St. Michael’s, and of the Polish Heritage Society of Northeastern Wisconsin.  His dedication to his faith included his daily ritual of saying the Rosary.

Eddie was an avid Braves fan, an avid county fair goer, and past president of the Dodge County Boots & Saddle Club.  In 1968 Eddie was the Wisconsin Desert Horse Association show horse winner with his horse Star.  Life was not without adversity as Edmund survived first as an infant the "Spanish Flu," now deemed the fastest spreading and most deadly influenza pandemic in recorded history, and then such a serious illness in 1936 causing his father to cross snow laden fields in horse and sleigh to find a doctor.  Several farm injuries later on could not slow him down.

Being that Polish was the only language spoken at home; Eddie attended school with an assistant to translate the studies into English.  In 1966 Edmund was able to travel, meet, and spend time with his Polish extended family.  Not an easy feat, as Poland was under a communistic regime at the time.  In 1993, excitement ran high as Eddie was able to reunite with family members from as far as California and Canada at "Czajka Fest," a gathering in the Beaver Dam area of all the family to celebrate their Polish decent and connections.

Those lovingly remembering their harmonica and accordion playing brother include siblings Mary Czajka, John Czajka, Stella (Sally) Machkovech, Wanda Ferron, and brother-in-law Floyd Hoch all of Beaver Dam, and sister Harriet Weirichs of Appleton. Edmund was God-father to Louise Raker and to Dale Ferron, both of Madison. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sisters Lucile Hoch and Josephine Czajka.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Edmund will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish, 950 Washington Street in Horicon with Father John Radetski as celebrant.  Visitation will take place on Tuesday July 12, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Funeral Services, 135 Keller Blvd in Beaver Dam and also on Wednesday at the church from 10:30 until 11:00 a.m.  Burial will take place at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Beaver Dam followed by a luncheon back at the funeral home.

Memorials in Edmund’s name may be directed to Franciscan Friars, P. O. Box 100, Pulaski, WI 54162 or Orchard Lake Schools SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, 3535 Indian Trail, Orchard Lake, MI 48324.

The family would like to thank Father Michael Erwin and Father Selvin Garcia Interiano for their faithful visitations, the Beaver Dam Fire Department and EMT’s, the Beaver Dam Community Hospital, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, Golden Living Center doctors, nurses, and support staff for their care and comfort, and Doctors Luytan and Zhang.  The family expresses deep gratitude to James and Maxine Ferron for their unending support, and thankfulness for the support of all family members.

"The Polish Blessing" May the land be fertile beneath your feet, May your days be gentle as the sun-kissed dew, May your hand be out stretched to all you meet, And may all men say "Brother" when they speak to you.  To your health, NAZDROWIE!

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family

Thanks to Cheryl Haessig, for this obituary.