Obit: Kruczek, Ignacy (1927 – 2010)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kruczek, Pycinowna, Dohoney, Rosett, Pierzchala, Dioka

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.)  February 10, 2010

Kruczek, Ignacy (1 February 1927 – 3 February 2010) With Flag

Ignacy “Iggy” Kruczek, 83, of Alma Center died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

Iggy was born Feb. 1, 1927, in Bridgeport, OH, to Louis and Agnes (Pycinowna) Kruczek.  When he was 12 years old on a visit to Poland with his family, he and his mother were entrapped in Poland during World War II.  During this time, he learned to speak Polish, Russian and German, and as a teenager, he worked as a translator with the Polish underground.  Following World War II, he served in Europe in the U. S. Army, M Company, 3rd Squadron, for a few years.  After returning to the United States, he was called up again and sent to Germany to serve as a border guard in the 74th Armor Field Artillery Battalion, D Battery.

Iggy married Mary Jane Dohoney Dec. 28, 1957, in Chicago, IL.  The couple resided in Chicago, where he worked as a tool and die maker for a few years.  In 1961, missing the country life and farming, he moved his family to Wisconsin where he purchased a farm in Garden Valley Township.  In addition to farming, Iggy also operated an auto body repair and painting business, repairing cars, tractors and mowers.

Iggy was a very sociable person and greatly enjoyed visiting with his customers.  He enjoyed gardening and planted fruit trees, blueberries and pine trees on his property.  Other favorite pastimes included fishing in the trout stream on his farm and watching World War II and cowboy movies.

He was a member of the Alma Center VFW Post #8494.

Iggy is survived by his wife, Mary; one son, James Kruczek, and one daughter, Diane Kruczek both of Alma Center; one sister, Helen Rosett of Wheaton, IL; besides many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Frank and Martin; half-brothers, Stanley and Andrew; sister, Sophie; and half-sister, Stella Pierzchala.

Funeral services for Ignacy “Iggy” Kruczek were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton, with Reverend Father Jude T. Dioka officiating.  Military rites were conducted by the Alma Center VFW Post #8494.  Cremation followed services, and burial of ashes will take place at a later date. Visitation was held at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home Sunday one hour prior to services.