Obit: Bonkowski, Irene (1920 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bonkowski, Chase, Connor, Curtis, Dahlgren, Dore, Frank, Leoschke, McFadyen, Zygmunt

----Source: The Heindl Funeral Home (Phillips, WI) 11/17/2015

Bonkowski, Irene (Frank) (11 APR 1920 - 12 NOV 2015)

Irene Bonkowski, 95, Phillips, peacefully entered eternal life on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Park Manor Nursing Home in Park Falls while under the care of the loving staff.

She was born April 11, 1920, to Dismas and Bessie (Chase) Frank. She married Joseph “Joe” Bonkowski on June 30, 1943.

She and Joe farmed most of their married life. They always had a huge garden. Irene loved cooking, baking (especially breads), sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting and embroidery. She made birthday and special cakes (including wedding cakes) for family, relatives and friends. She was a very “selfless” lady, always helping anyone she could. In her later years she was very involved by working in the kitchen, when there were meals at Saint John Lutheran Church. She also worked at the Thrift shop in Phillips. She loved the Lord with all her heart and did everything to honor him.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe, her infant daughter Janet, her two brothers John and Bernard “Barney” Frank, her parents, and her great-grandson Joseph.

She is survived by two daughters, Fay (James) Dahlgren, Mt. Horeb, WI, and Sally (James) McFadyen, Phillips; grandchildren Bryan (Cathy) Curtis, Phillips, Emily Curtis, Paul Dahlgren, Jennifer Dahlgren (fiancé Bryan Zygmunt) all of Mt. Horeb, Nate (Tara) McFadyen, Bollingbrook, IL, and Joshua “Josh” McFadyen, Medford, WI; by two sisters, Dorothy (Floyd) Leoschke, OH, and Elaine (Dave) Dore, FL and IL; 12 great grandchildren, David, Thomas “Tom” and Megan (Michael “Mike”) Connor, of Phillips, Michael, Gabriel, Evelyn, Ledger, Donovan, Cassandra, all of Mt. Horeb, Drew, Ella, Ava, all of Bollingbrook, IL; by two great great granddaughters, Emma and Lakyn; and by one great great grandson, Axel John, who was born on the day Irene went to her eternal Home!

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, November 27 at Saint John Lutheran Church in Phillips with Reverend Thomas Reiff officiating.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.heindlfuneralhome.com.  The Heindl Funeral Home in Phillips is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.