Obit: Budzinski, Henry E. (1924 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:  dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Budzinski, Dranginis, Cieslek, Davis, Laehn, Stroming, Wood, Nelson, Larson, Litchfield, Ellenberger, Rembleski, Woebbeking

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 8/22/2012

Budzinski, Henry E. (20 March 1924 - 14 August 2012)

Henry E. Budzinski, 88, of Mondovi, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at the American Lutheran Home in Mondovi with his family by his side.

He was born on March 20, 1924, in rural Thorp, WI, to Stanley and Rose (Dranginis) Budzinski. He married Rosemarie Cieslek. They later divorced. On November 10, 1973, he married Kathryn Davis Laehn at Zion Lutheran Church in Mondovi. Henry farmed in the Thorp area while he worked at the Stanley Corp. He later worked at Presto Industries in Eau Claire. After his retirement from Presto he worked in landscaping as well as helped his wife operate Katie’s Café in Mondovi. Henry and Kate enjoyed their summers at the lake in Gordon, WI. He always had a sunny outlook. Henry enjoyed woodworking, fishing, bowling and dancing. Henry was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Mondovi.

He is survived by three children: Henry R. (Linda) Budzinski of Eau Claire, Barbara Stroming of Wausau and Stephen Budzinski of Wausau; seven step-children: Ronald (Virgene) Laehn of Mondovi, Gregory (Lisa) Laehn of Mondovi, Patty (Bill) Wood of Brownsville, MN, Alice Mae (Doc Nelson) Larson of Hayward, Kathryn Laehn (Fiancé, Dennis Litchfield) of Mondovi, Scott Laehn of Strum and Karla (Russell) Ellenberger of Mondovi; a step-daughter-in-law, Vickie Laehn of Mondovi; 45 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; a brother, Bob (Roseann) Budzinski of Gilman, WI; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn, in 2006; a step-son, Jerry Laehn; a son-in-law, Roger Stroming; his parents; and two sisters: Irene Rembleski and Margaret Rembleski.

Memorial services were held on Monday, August 20, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Mondovi.

Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home handled arrangements. Visit www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com to offer online condolences.