Obit: Nowak, Leonard William (1927 - 2015)

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

Surnames: Nowak, Kostick, Zabel, Romanofsky, Olson, Zerbian, Fredrickson, Powers

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 12/02/2015

Nowak, Leonard William (18 May 1927 - 22 November 2015) With Flag

Leonard William Nowak, 88, of Rice Lake died Sunday, November 22, 2015, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home. He was born May 18, 1927, in Milwaukee, WI to Michael and Mary (Kostick) Nowak. He was raised on a farm near Lublin, WI. He met his wife, Lorraine, there and they were married on September 23, 1950, in Thorp.

Leonard served the U. S. Army in the South Pacific and the Korean War, earning three bronze service stars and the Korean Service Medal. After his service, they moved to Rice Lake where they raised their family. Leonard owned and operated the Standard Oil Gas Station and Nowak’s Home Store. He also worked as head mechanic for Swant Motors in Rice Lake, operated the VFW Bar and served as custodian for St. Joseph’s School in Rice Lake.

Leonard was an avid bowler, gardener, fisherman, and hunter. He loved his property on Lake Desair and continued to enjoy it until very recently. He was active for many years in the Rice Lake Elks, VFW and American Legion, and served on Rice Lake’s first Aquafest committee. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his son, Jeffrey (Lorene) Nowak of Rice Lake; one daughter, Catherine (Gary) Zabel of Barron; two sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; his parents; one brother, Rodney; and his sister, Irene Romanofsky.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Skinner Funeral Home - Rice Lake with Father James Powers officiating and with the burial following in St. Joseph Cemetery. Pallbearers were Steve Nowak, Alex Olson, Randy Zerbian, Jeff Nowak, Gary Zabel, and Stan Fredrickson. Military Honors were accorded by the Rice Lake Veterans Center Honor Guard.

Skinner Funeral Home of Rice Lake is serving the family.