Obit: Stanula, Gertrude Mary “Gertie” (1924 - 2013)

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

Surnames: Stanula, Wigtozycka, Krzyzanowski, Zuiker, Pflueger, Smith, Gruber,

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

Stanula, Gertrude Mary “Gertie” (21 June 1924 - 16 January 2013)

Gertrude M. “Gertie” Stanula, age 88, of Thorp, passed away at Oakbrook Nursing & Rehab on Wednesday, January 16, 2013. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Don Meuret officiated and burial followed in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jeff Zuiker, Gordy Smith, Jim Pflueger, Patricia Pflueger, Pat Zuiker, Joe Zuiker and Mary Zuiker. Visitation was held at Thorp Funeral Home on Saturday January 19, 2013, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Gertrude Mary Krzyzanowski was born on June 21, 1924, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Walter Sr. and Bernice (Wigtozycka) Krzyzanowski. She was raised on the family farm and received her education in Thorp area schools. As a young lady, Gertie moved to Chicago, where she worked in a television factory. It was in Chicago where she met her future husband, Joseph Stanula. They were married in Chicago, where they owned and operated Joe’s Friendly Tap until her husband’s death on November 1, 1957. Gertie moved back to Thorp in 1962 to be close to her family. She was a homemaker and helped her daughters with her grandchildren.

She was an active member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its PCCW, and a member of the Thorp American legion Auxiliary.

Gertrude had many interests, but especially loved spending time with her family, gardening, cooking and canning.

She will be dearly missed by her three daughters: Barbara (Jeff) Zuiker of Port Edwards, WI, Linda (Jim) Pflueger of Star Prairie, WI, and Josie (Gordy) Smith of Cadott, WI; five grandchildren: Pat Zuiker, Joe Zuiker, Mary Zuiker, Patricia Pflueger and Aaron Pflueger; one great-granddaughter, Olivia Gruber; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; three sisters: Stella, Helen, Josie; and five brothers: Fred, Bill, Johnny, Joe and Walter.

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