Obit: Balczewski, Walter S. (1918 – 2000)
Contributed to the Clark Co., WI History Buffs

Surnames: Balczewski, Roach, Hartman, Garfield, Backe, Cole, Neumann, Slowey

----Source: Ashland Daily Press (Ashland, Ashland County, Wis.) Monday, March 27, 2000

Balczewski, Walter S. (21 Aug. 1918 – 26 Mar. 2000)

PRENTICE -- Walter S. Balczewski, Rib Lake Health Care Center, Rib Lake, formerly of Prentice, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2000, at the St. Joseph Hospital, Marshfield, at the age of 81. He was born on August 21, 1918, in Exeland, the son of John and Anna (Roach) Balczewski.

He spent his early life and schooling in Exeland. As a young he moved to the Chicago area. He was married to Thelma Hartman on Sept. 3 1939, in Chicago. He had a variety of talents and skills he used during his working and social careers. He was a Golden Gloves Boxing Coach, an avid baseball player, won many bowling awards and was an avid sportsman. He and his wife came to Price County in the 1940s. He became involved as a volunteer fireman for the town of Prentice served as the town constable, was employed as a butter maker, a State of Wisconsin game warden and as a machinist, first at Prentice Hydraulics and then at Omark Industries until the time of his retirement. He was a member of St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Prentice.

He is survived by four daughters: Rosemary Garfield, Milwaukee; Kathrine (Randy) Backe, Chicago; Ruth (Bill) Cole, Cross Plains, Tenn.; and Joyce (Albert) Neumann, Wausau; two sons: James (Elaine) Balczewski, Prentice; and John (Robin) Balczewski, Kettle Falls, Wash.; 16 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and two brothers, John (Eileen) Balczewski, Madison; and Charles "Charlie" (Betty) Balczewski, Exeland. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Thelma in 1995, a son Walter, Jr., in 1991; a grandson Thomas Neumann, and two brothers and two sisters.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Prentice, with Fr. John Slowey officiating.

Friends may call after 5:30 p.m. today at the Heindl Funeral Home, Prentice, where a parish wake service will be held at 7 p.m.