Obit: Sweda, Joseph (1926 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bluemel, Egle, Janetzke, Kaye, Kowalczyk, Lewan, Paraschak, Roback, Sweda, Terlecki, Wojcik

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 4/09/2015

Sweda, Joseph (3 JAN 1926 - 1 APR 2015)

Joseph Sweda, age 89, of Lublin, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Oakbrook Nursing and Rehab in Thorp.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 9 at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Lublin, with Father Ted Wojcik officiating. Burial was at Holy Assumption Cemetery. Pallbearers were Frank Sweda, Harry Sweda, Bill Sweda, Don Sweda and Marvin Egle.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Joseph Sweda was born on January 3, 1926 in Lublin to Matt and Anna (Paraschak) Sweda. He was raised on the family farm, received his education at Forest Lake School, and graduated from Withee High School in 1945. After completing his education, Joe entered the United States Air Force and served for two years before returning home to Lublin. He started a business with his brothers where they hauled gravel and wood products and farmed.

Joe was united in marriage to Irene L. Egle on September 1, 1951 at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Lublin. He drove school bus for a couple of years but spent most of his life in politics. He moved to Madison and served in the Wisconsin legislature for 15 years, where he was appointed the State of Wisconsin Highway Commissioner and later appointed the Commissioner of Transportation. Joe served as a supervisor on the Taylor County Board, as the town of Roosevelt chairman, and on the Fire District Board for many years.

He was a member of Holy Assumption Orthodox Church, and a charter member of Lublin American Legion, which he was instrumental in starting.

Joe had many interests, especially politics, but also enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, and deer hunting.

He is survived by three sisters, Kathryn Bluemel of Des Plaines, Ill., Nettie (Jim) Kowalczyk of Boyd and Pauline (Ray) Lewan of Lublin; five brothers, Andrew of Elgin, Ill., Frank of Lublin, Harry of Lublin, Bill of Colby and Don of Rolling Meadows, Ill.; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene on April 26, 2011; four sisters, Mary Terlecki, Ella Kaye, Helen Janetzke and Julie Roback; and two brothers, John and Steve Sweda.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.