Obit: Zukowski, Robert Kenneth “Bob” #2 (1930 - 2015)

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

Surnames: Zukowski, Mamayek, Malnar, Carriveau, Elzinga, Kowalski

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 6/10/2015

Zukowski, Robert Kenneth “Bob” (24 April 1930 - 1 June 2015) With Flag

Robert K. “Bob” Zukowski, age 85, of Thorp, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2015, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Marshfield, with his family by his side. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Janusz Kowalski officiated and burial followed in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery. Military rites were conducted by the Thorp American Legion Post #118. Visitation was held at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of the service.

Robert Kenneth Zukowski was born on the family farm in the Town of Reseburg, the first child of Peter and Estelle (Mamayek) Zukowski, on April 24, 1930. He received his elementary education at Goff State Graded School and graduated from Thorp High School in 1948. Bob then worked for a time on the family farm, and later sought employment with Mathy Construction. Bob was united in marriage to Dolores Jean Malnar on December 29, 1953, at Holy Family Catholic Church, in Willard. He was then inducted into the U. S. Army and served in France during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge, they purchased the family farm, and there they raised their four children.

Bob took great pleasure watching his children show purebred cattle with the prefix Reselane. He was a member of the Holstein-Friesian Association on the county, state and national levels, where he served as county president. In addition, he also was elected and served on the ASCS Board, and represented rural Clark County on the Executive Committee, planning Farm Progress Days in July 1983.

He was a member of St. Bernard-St, Hedwig Catholic Church, and a member of the Catholic order of Foresters since age 15, a member of the Polish National Alliance, and the Thorp Historical Society. With great love for his country, Bob joined the American Legion, the VFW, and the Sons of the American Legion, which he qualified for through his father, who was a WWI veteran.

Because the military was a great part of his life, Bob served in various offices of the American Legion, beginning at the local level and ending at the national level. He was elected State Commander for 1989-1990 and later served as National Executive Committeeman from 1992-2000. He gave of his time to the Clark County Veterans Commission for over 17 years, during which time Bob was elected president of the Wisconsin County Veterans Committee and was instrumental in the development of the Thorp Veterans’ Park.

Being extremely proud of his Polish heritage, he organized the beginning of the Polish Heritage 4th of July Picnic. In 2006, he took the trip of his life, to Poland, and more fully appreciated his ethnic background. In 2011, through research, creativity and perseverance, he brought to fruition a Wisconsin Historical Marker, which is located near Old St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery in the Town of Withee, rural Thorp, and serves as an unparalleled tribute to the Polish immigrants from Poznan, who settled in the Thorp area.

One of Bob’s favorite pastimes was being in the woods and hunting. He especially enjoyed fox hunting with his hounds in his youth, and later in life continued to hunt deer around home and made trips out west elk hunting. Additionally, many cars and tractors were restored with his expertise.

Bob was elected to the Thorp School Board in 1972 as a write-in candidate. Later, he was elected to the Wisconsin State legislature from the 69th District, serving from 1992-1998.

Never losing his love of farming, he worked for a time as field man for Raber’s Foods and LaGrander’s Hillside Dairy. This way he could still be in contact with farmers. Then, Bob re-retired at the age of 75. What was his greatest pet peeve? When a person is asked to help and says, “I don’t have the time.”

Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dolores, of Thorp; one son, Robert James Zukowski of Marshfield; three daughters: Julianne (David) Carriveau of Marathon, Janelle Zukowski of Oshkosh, Ann-Marie Zukowski of Seymour; six grandchildren: six great-grandchildren; one sister, Geraldine Elzinga of Worth, IL; one brother, Donald (Darlene) Zukowski of Owen; and one sister-in-law, Joanne Zukowski of Deerfield, IL.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two daughter: Rosanne and Annette in infancy; and one brother, Leonard Zukowski.

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

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Bio: Zukowski, Robert – Public Servant (1930 – 2015)

Transcriber: Janet

Surnames: Zukowski

----Source: Transcriber Research

(Rep.), 69th Assembly District Born Thorp, April 24, 1930; married; 4 children. Graduate Thorp H.S. Full-time legislator. Former dairy farmer and dairy field representative. Korean Conflict veteran; served in Army 1954-56. Member: American Legion (national executive committeeman, former alternate national executive committeeman, former state commander); Veterans of Foreign Wars; Holstein-Friesian Assn. (national, state and county, former co. pres.); National Rifle Assn.; Rock Dam Rod and Gun Club. Thorp School Board 1970-73 (treas. 1973); Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Comn. 1974-80; Clark Co. Veterans Service Comn. 1985- present; Wis. State Assn. of County Veterans Service Commissions 1985-present (former state pres.). Elected to Assembly since 1992. Biennial committee assignments: 1997 -- Aging and Long-Term Care (chp.); Veterans and Military Affairs (vice chp., also 1995, mbr. 1993); Agriculture (also 1995); Highways and Transportation (also 1995). 1995 -- Jt. Survey Com. on Tax Exemptions (co- chp.); Health. 1993 -- Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs; Transportation. Telephone: Office: (608) 267-0280; District: (715) 669-3250. Voting address: W9884 County Road MM, Thorp 54771-8106. Mailing address: Office: Room 17 West, State Capitol, P.O. Box 8953, Madison 53708. (1997-98)