Surnames: KOTECKI PRZBYLSKI PIWONI RILEY SARFIN

----Source: Tribune-Record Gleaner (Clark County, WI) 03/27/2002

Kotecki, Edward (12 MAR 1927 - 23 MAR 2002)

Edward Kotecki, 75, Eau Claire, formerly of Thorp, Clark County, died on Saturday, March 23, 2002, at Oakwood Villa Nursing Home, Altoona. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, at St. Bernard's-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, Thorp. Thorp American Legion and VFW members served as pallbearers.

Edward Frank Kotecki was born on March 12, 1927, in Thorp, to Frank and Vernie (nee Przybylski) Kotecki. He was raised in the Thorp area and was educated at Sunny Lawn School. After completing his education, he worked as a farmhand for area farmers and also delivered milk. In 1948, he moved to Milwaukee and worked for Chain Belt as a riveter. He was drafted into the United States Army in September 1950, and served overseas during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in June 1952, after receiving various medals, including two Purple Hearts. On Oct. 26, 1952, he married Josephine Piwoni at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, Thorp. He continued to work at Chain Belt, Milwaukee, until moving back to Thorp in 1953. He farmed with both his parents and in-laws until buying his own farm in 1955. He and his wife farmed until their retirement in 1987, and continued living on the farm until March 2000. They then moved to Eau Claire and resided there until the time of his death. He was a member of St. Bernard's-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society, the Thorp American Legion Post 118, the Thorp VFW Post 9057 and served as the town of Withee clerk from 1971-2000.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine, Eau Claire one daughter, Nancy (Robin) Riley, Hingham, Mass. one son, Daniel (Lynn) Kotecki, Brooklyn Park, Minn. seven grandchildren, Jason, Adam and Samuel Kotecki and Logan, Carson, Savannah and Austin Riley one sister, Josephine Sarafin, Thorp and two brothers, Clarence (Gertrude) Kotecki, Spencer, and Frank (Stephanie) Kotecki, Eau Claire.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

The Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.