Obit: Szymanski, Elizabeth J. (1921 - 2007)

Surnames: Szymanski, Rodman, Knetter, Lepak, Pyan, Lang, Bargender, Bergs, Rude, Wilde, Kaiser, Schoenrock, Osswald, Dobeck, Feltz, Guralski, Kyea

----Source: Wausau Daily Herald (Marathon Co., Wis.) 18 May 2007

Szymanski, Elizabeth J. (21 June 1921 - 15 May 2007)

Elizabeth "Elsie" J. Szymanski, 85, Marathon, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at Kennedy Park Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Weston. She was born June 21, 1921, in the town of Wien, daughter of the late Francis and Frances (Rodman) Knetter. On Sept. 26, 1940, she married Stanley Szymanski at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel. He preceded her in death June 13, 1997.

For 25 years, she worked as a baker for Marathon High School. Elsie had a large part in helping her husband run their dairy farm while Stanley taught school for 45 years and coached for 25 years. Elsie was a member of the Ladies Rosary Society and the American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 469, Marathon. Among her many interests, she enjoyed gardening, playing cards, spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was known for her fabulous cooking and baking. Elsie also enjoyed traveling and one of the highlights of her life was her trip to Poland with her husband.

Survivors include two daughters, Sandra (Kenneth) Lepak, Edgar, and Jacki (Terry) Pyan, Marathon; two sons, Stanley Jr. (Angie) Szymanski and Thad (Amy Lang) Szymanski, all of Marathon; one daughter-in-law, Linda Szymanski, Marathon; 18 grandchildren, Sally (Gary) Bargender, Jane (Mark) Bergs, Ronald (Penny) Lepak, Joe (Patty) Lepak, Gerard (Chris) Lepak, Anne Lepak, Sheila (Ted) Rude, Jeff (Sandy) Szymanski, Chris Szymanski, Gail (Danny) Wilde, Tracy (Rodney) Kaiser, Frank (Cherry) Szymanski, Tony (Erica) Szymanski, Kimberly Schoenrock, Michelle Pyan, Troy (Sheila) Pyan, Travis Pyan and Josh (Molly) Osswald; 35 great-grandchildren; one sister, Leona Dobeck, Schofield; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Alvina Szymanski, Alex and Theresa Szymanski, Irene Szymanski, Wally and Bernice Szymanski, all of Marathon, Edwin and Lydia Szymanski, Wausau, and Alvina (Frank) Szymanski, Milwaukee.

Besides her parents and husband, Stanley, she was preceded in death by one son, Terrence Szymanski; one daughter, Patricia "Patty Jane" Osswald; and two sisters, Florence Feltz and Irene Guralski.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel. The Rev. Barnabas Kyea will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Due to the road construction in Marathon City, visitation will be today at the Edgar Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., and again from 10 a.m. until time of services Saturday at the church. A memorial service will be conducted by the American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 469 at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rachel and the staff at Kennedy Park Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Weston, for the wonderful care and support given to Elsie and her family.