Obit: Nowak, Bernice L. (1920 - 2013)

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

Surnames: Nowak, Czerwinski, Lis, Wincek, Gosselin, Gilbertson, Mudgett, Hudak, Bandur, Klisiewicz,

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 6/19/2013

Nowak, Bernice L. (15 June 1920 - 16 June 2013)

Bernice L. Nowak, age 93, longtime Lublin resident, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at Oakbrook Health and Rehab Center in Thorp, one day after her 93rd birthday.

The former Bernice Lis was the first born to the late Sophie (Czerwinski) and Bruno Lis on June 15, 1920, in Lublin. She grew up in Lublin and later moved to Chicago, sending money back to her parents, during the Depression, to help the family out. She came back home and at a dance met Felix Nowak. He then sent her a letter of proposal, she accepted, and he went to Chicago and they wed on September 9, 1941. Their honeymoon consisted of moving in with the in-laws, Joseph and Stella Nowak, and chopping corn on the Nowak family farm, but life was good. Soon, three generations lived under one roof. Bernice was a hard working farm wife and mother, until Felix’s untimely death in 1971. In retirement, she truly enjoyed her grandchildren, reading, fishing with her brothers, polka dancing, crocheting everything without ever reading a pattern and canning.

She was Lublin’s village clerk for 22 years until losing her vision in 1997, but always loved her Lublin. Anyone who knew her can remember her sitting in her comfy chair by the window in the kitchen having a cup of coffee, a smoke and a good piece of chocolate with her red fingernails and red lipstick. She was a lovable, strong willed, feisty Polish woman who love life and will be greatly missed by many.

Bernice is survived by her two daughters: Geraldine Nowak of Thorp and Christine (Joseph Wincek) Nowak of Jump River; three grandchildren: Cherish of Eau Claire, J. J. (Mackenzie) of St. Paul, and Jodi (Mark Gosselin) of Seattle; four great-grandchildren: Jake Gilbertson, Isabella & Gavin Mudgett and Roo Gosselin; siblings: Stanley (Mary) Lis of Lublin, Helen Hudak of Eau Claire, Sophie Bandur of Stanley, Alois lis of Rhinelander, Tony (Carol) Lis of Stanley; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Lis of lake Hallie, Bana Lis of Stanley; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers: Joseph, Frank, Edward, Bruno Jr. Lis; a sister, Stella Klisiewicz; brothers-in-law: Louis Bandur, Pete Hudak, Joe Klisiewicz; sisters-in-law: Letty and Dolly Lis.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2013, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church, Lublin. A graveside service will follow with burial in the parish cemetery. Plombon Funeral Service assisted the family with arrangements.