Obit: Bayuk, Edward W. (1921 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bayuk, Oman, Zima, Jordan, Nauertz, Schrank, Polzin, Jolivette, Hoerer, Phelps, Zimmerman, Quast, Fortuna, Cesnik, Godec, Hollman, Klinke

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 04 Mar 2015

Bayuk, Edward W. (7 MAY 1921 – 25 FEB 2015)

After a long life and faithful life on this earth, Edward William Bayuk, 93, Neillsville, formerly of Willard, died peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, surrounded by his loving and grateful family, at Memorial Medical Center, Neillsville. Ed’s family and friends gathered in gratitude to give him back to God with visitation and vigil on Monday, March 2, at the Holy Family Church Hall in Willard. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, at Holy Family Church. Burial followed in Holy Family Cemetery.

Ed was born on May 7, 1921, on the family farm in Willard, the ninth of 11 children of John and Balbina (nee Oman) Bayuk. He attended Willard State Graded School and then graduated from Greenwood High School, class of 1938. On one of the family trips to visit his mother’s relatives in St. Stephen, Minn., Ed met his future wife and love of his life, Josephine Zima. Soon after their initial acquaintance and beginning of their courtship, he enlisted in the United States Navy, in which he served for six years during World War II. Regular correspondence and visits while on leave blossomed into an engagement and then a wedding on Sept. 17, 1946. Ed and Jo eventually settled in their home “across the field” from the family farm, where they raised their family. Meanwhile, his brother Bill married Jo’s sister, Eleanor, and they took over the family farm. The two families enjoyed their close proximity and family ties for many years, as the well-worn path between the two households would testify.

Ed worked for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Weights and Measures, as an inspector until his retirement. He also served as clerk for the town of Hendren for 30 years. He was a member of Holy Family Parish in Willard for his entire life.

Ed loved his wife and his family, and like so many of “The Greatest Generation” sacrificed and worked hard to give them a good life and instill in them the same values that formed him. He also loved song birds, gray squirrels, music, potica, cribbage, dirty clubs, the Packers, crosswords, jokes, puns, riddles, poetry, car trips, and his Slovenian heritage. He was an active member of Holy Family Parish, serving as a lector, eucharistic minister, leader of prayer, and as a member of the Parish Council. He was a life-long member of KSKJ and also served for a time as a 4-H leader. He was a “jack of all trades,” but especially enjoyed making rosaries, building birdhouses, gardening, and planting trees. Ed was a loving husband and a good father (and grandfather and great-grandfather!). He was hard-working, generous, cheerful, friendly, humble, and a man of kindness. He died at peace with himself and others, faithful and faith-filled until the end.

Ed is survived by his children: Richard Bayuk, Kansas City Mo., Colette (Paul) Jordan, Granton, Mary (Gary) Nauertz, Neillsville, Chuck (Sherry Schrank) Bayuk, Waunakee, Chris (Mark) Polzin, Byron Minn., Johnny Bayuk, Willard, Pat (Jean) Bayuk, Greensburg, Pa., Tim (Joan) Bayuk, Wautoma, Tom (Reba) Bayuk, Wakeeney, Kansas, Edward J. Bayuk, Willard, Teresa (Larry) Jolivette, Eau Claire, Rosemary (Ken Hoerer) Bayuk, Madison, and Janet (Jim) Phelps, Loves Park Ill.; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Bob Zimmerman, Boise, Idaho; and many cousins and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Genevieve (Hugo) Quast, Joseph (Dorothy) Bayuk, Dorothy (Tony) Fortuna, Mary (Ignatius) Cesnik, Gertrude (Joseph) Godec, Albert (Eleanor) Bayuk, William (Eleanor) Bayuk, Veronica (Rudy) Hollman, Frank (Beatrice) Bayuk, and Florence (Al) Klinke. Also awaiting his arrival are Josephine, his loving wife of 60 years, and grandchildren Paula Jordan and Austin Bayuk.

Those wishing to make a memorial gift may do so in Ed’s name to the family, who will give them to charities that Ed supported.