Obit: Konkol, Arnold B. (1924 – 2010)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Konkol, Reinke, Girouard, Abbott, Kahler, Slegel, Schnur, Blount, Kernan, Johnson, Olejniczak, Rudolph, Rolon, Laver, Steiner

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) March 3, 2010

Konkol, Arnold B. (24 June 1924 – 24 February 2010) With Flag

Arnold B. Konkol, 85, of Black River Falls died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, in Pine View Care Center.

Arnie was born June 24, 1924, in Black River Falls to Benedict and Frances (Reinke) Konkol.  He graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1942.  Following his high school graduation, Arnie served in the U. S. Navy and became a World War II Veteran.  He married Carol Girouard June 2, 1947, and they later divorced.  He married Gerry Abbott Aug. 3, 1985.

Arnie was employed by the U. S. Postal Service for over 30 years, and at the time of his retirement, he was a rural mail carrier.  He also sold Woodmen Accident and Life Insurance and was employed as a school bus driver.  He enjoyed high school football and basketball, boxing, hunting, fishing and golfing.

Survivors include his wife, Gerry of Black River Falls; two daughters, Francie (Dan) Kahler of Onalaska and Mary Jo (Jamie) Slegel of Black River Falls; four sons, David (Peggy) Konkol of Kansas City, MO, Kurt (Karen) Konkol of De Forest, Kris (Marsha) Konkol of La Crosse and Dale (Rosemary) Konkol of Paraguay, South America; a stepson, Mark (Laney) Abbott of Black River Falls; 11 grandchildren, Brett (Shannah) Schnur, Kris (Jodi) Konkol, Kim (Ryan) Blount, Gabrielle Konkol, Jacob Kernan, Paul (Sarah) Konkol, John (Holly) Konkol, Samuel Konkol, Sarah Konkol, Lili Konkol and Elizabeth Konkol; a step-grandson, Joshua Johnson; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Grace Olejniczak of Wausau and Jeannette Rudolph of Black River Falls; brothers-in-law, Tim (Sara) Abbott, Bob (Karen) Abbott, Terry (Barb) Abbott and Danny (Tina) Abbott; sisters-in-law, Dorothea Konkol, Judy (Nelson) Rolon, Brenda Abbott and Linda Laver, his mother-in-law, Barbara Abbott; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ben and Frances Konkol; a brother, Allen Konkol; and his father-in-law, Robert Abbott. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Black River Falls. Rev. Fr. John Steiner officiated.  Burial with military honors followed in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls.

Family and friends were invited for visitation from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, where there was a public prayer service at 6 p.m.  There was also a visitation at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until services.

Memorials are preferred.

The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, assisted the family with arrangements.