Obit: Lesniewski, Lorraine Ann (1922 - 2013)

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

Surnames: Lesniewski, Migon, Bieniarz, Smasal, Abramowicz, Ives, Smith, Copeland, Theisen, Meuret

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 1/16/2013

Lesniewski, Lorraine Ann (25 December 1922 - 15 January 2013)

Lorraine A. Lesniewski, age 90, of Thorp, passed away at her home on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Burial will take place in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 1/23/2013

Lorraine A. Lesniewski, age 90, of Thorp, passed away at her home on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. A Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Don Meuret officiated and burial will take place in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Visitation was held at the church, on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.

Lorraine Ann Bieniarz was born on December 25, 1922, at home in Oak Park, IL, the daughter of Julian and Stephania (Migon) Bieniarz. She was raised in the Chicago area, where she attended St. Hedwig’s Elementary School, graduated from Carl Schurz High School, and then studied at De Paul University for three years. While living in the Chicago area, she worked as a waitress at B & G Restaurant, worked at the soda fountain at Walgreen’s, and in the Billing Department for Montgomery Ward. Lorraine was united in marriage to Frank Lesniewski on November 8, 1947, in Chicago. They moved to Thorp, where they owned and operated Thorp Floor Covering until retiring in 1990. After her husband, Frank passed away on March 9, 1997, Lorraine worked as a waitress at the Dairy Bar and Thorpedo Restaurant, was a Foster Grandmother at the Thorp Elementary School for 20 years, and was in charge of the Secret Pals letters for the 5th grade students. She later moved to Morgan Plaza, where she wrote the Morgan Plaza Column each week for the Thorp Courier newspaper. Lorraine resided at Morgan Plaza until the time of her death.

She was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and was very active in the PCCW, and was a member of the Thorp Legion Auxiliary.

Lorraine had many interest, but especially loved spending time with her family and friends, bowling, playing poker with the bowling ladies, crossword puzzles, and was a devoted Chicago Bears fan.

She will be dearly missed by two sons: Bob and Janet Lesniewski of Eau Claire, Rich and Diane Lesniewski of Thorp; one daughter: MaryAnn and Tom Smasal of Thorp; five grandchildren: Jessica and Keith Abramowicz, Trisha Smasal and Duane Ives, Benjamin Smasal and April Smith, Erin and Curt Copeland, Desiree and Mike Theisen; and nine great-grandchildren: Isaac, Isabel, Ilise, Nolan, Kyle, Ella, Olivia, Skyler and Shyann.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank; two brothers: Henry and Joseph Bieniarz; and one sister, Mary Bieniarz.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.