Obit: Depa, Bernice Irene (1931 - 2015)

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

Surnames: Depa, Pestka, Ostrowski, Vogds, Zynda, Cadotte, Zielke, Wiklanski, Simmons, Norks, Andronowitz, Felix

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 12/16/2015

Depa, Bernice Irene (6 August 1931 - 12 December 2015)

Bernice I. Depa, age 84, of Thorp, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at Ministry Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Stanley, WI. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2015, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, in Thorp. Rev. William Felix will officiate and burial will follow in St. Mary’s of Czestochowa Catholic Cemetery, rural Stanley.

Pallbearers will be: Jeff Zielke, Jeff Ostrowski, Mike Wiklanski, Dave Simmons, Mike Norks, Don Depa and Tom Andronowitz. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral home on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. rosary service. Visitation will also be at the church, on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Bernice Irene Ostrowski was born August 6, 1931, in Milwaukee, WI, to Thomas and Helen (Pestka) Ostrowski. Her family later moved to Wausau, WI, where she was raised and received her education. After completing her education, Bernice moved to Chicago and worked for Sunbeam, where she met her future husband. She was married to Louis S. Depa on September 26, 1953, at St. James Catholic Church in Wausau, WI. They lived in Chicago for more than 55 years. Bernice worked for Sunbeam and Zenith while living in Chicago. Her husband’s job took them to Rockford, IL, where she worked at Wilton Cake Decorating, then on to Downers Grove, IL, where she worked in the radiology department at the hospital there. In retirement, she moved to Wausau for a few years and made her final home in Thorp in June of 2000. She resided in Thorp until her death.

She lived her life in faith and was an active member of both, St. Mary’s of Czestochowa and St. Bernard-St Hedwig Catholic Church. Bernice was also a member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women and sang in the polish Choir for many years.

Bernice had many interests, but especially loved polka dancing, going to the casino, playing cards, particularly the game 31, and was an avid traveler.

She is survived by one brother, Clarence (Betty) Ostrowski of Amherst, WI; and was a loving aunt to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, and a Godmother to many.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Thomas and Helen Ostrowski; her husband, Louis, on May 24, 2014; one sister, Leona Vogds; two brothers: Eugene and Richard Ostrowski; two nephews: Leonard and John Zynda; and a great-niece, Elizabeth Cadotte.

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