Obit: Lewandowski, Vernon Stephen (1925 - 2015)

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

Surnames: Lewandowski, Lemanski, Soborowicz, Hooper, Borowski, Sweetana, Leibelt, Sopiarz, VerBunker, Nelson, Willger

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 6/03/2015

Lewandowski, Vernon Stephen (4 June 1925 - 28 May 2015)

Vernon Stephen Lewandowski, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 89, at Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Stanley on Thursday, May 28, 2015.

Vern was born on June 4, 1925, in Thorp to Stephen and Susan (Lemanski) Lewandowski. In 1943, he graduated from Thorp High School and proceeded to run the home farm. At age 22, he became a full licensed private pilot and enjoyed flying for recreation.

He married his loving wife, Valeria Soborowicz, on June 23, 1951. After his marriage, he and Val moved to Wichita, KS, where he began working as a tool and die maker for Boeing Aircraft & Caterpillar Co. After a short time, he returned to Thorp. He then began a nine-year career working as a switchman for the Soo Line Railroad in Chippewa Falls. While working for the railroad, Vern began to establish his own ‘family’ farm that he would call home until the day he passed.

Vern is survived by his wife of 63 years, Valeria; two daughters: Diane Hooper of Thorp, Gail (Dan) Borowski of Menomonie; five sons: Gary (Kathy) of Shawano, Steve (Terri) of Marathon City, Wayne (Deidra) of Metamora, IL, John (Laurie Jo) of Thorp and Kevin (JoAnn) of Thorp; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; one sister, Connie Sweetana of Bloomington, IL; and one brother, Robert (Mary Ann) Lewandowski of Thorp.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Susan and Stephen; three sisters: Helen Leibelt, Marion (Sopiarz) VerBunker, Margaret Nelson; and one son-in-law, Paul Hooper, Jr.

He was a member of St. Bernard- St. Hedwig Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus Queen of Peace Council #4634. In his early years, he joined the Flying Farmers, and later enjoyed traveling abroad with his wife. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at St. Bernard- St. Hedwig Catholic Church, in Thorp. Rev. Gerard Willger officiated and burial followed in St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Gary Lewandowski, Steven Lewandowski, Wayne Lewandowski, John Lewandowski, Levin Lewandowski and Dan Borowski. Visitation was held at Thorp Funeral home, on Monday, June 1, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 7:30 rosary service, and again on Tuesday, at the funeral home, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Got this next one from the Good Old Days, April 29, 2015….At one time I lived on property that he owned long ago.