Obit: Cukla, Wanda Ann (1920 - 2016)

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

Surnames: Cukla, Rutkowski, Wojt, Empen, Randall, Beswick, Tomkowiak, Filipek, Cereby, Kozenka, Hiebl

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 8/10/2016

Cukla, Wanda Ann (6 June 1920 - 25 July 2016) With Flag

Wanda A. Cukla, age 96, of Bartlett, IL, formerly of Thorp, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2016, at the Victory Centre in Bartlett, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Charles Hiebl will officiate and burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery with military honors provided by Thorp American Legion Post #118. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Wanda Ann Wojt was born on June 6, 1920, in the Town of Withee, rural Thorp, to Adam and Stefanie (Rutkowski) Wojt. She was raised on the family farm and received her education at Sterling School.

Wanda left Thorp at age 16, moved to Chicago, IL and worked as a nanny. She enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and served as a baker from August 1943 until her honorable discharge in December 1944. After completing her military service, she was united in marriage to John Cukla on September 29, 1945, in Chicago. They continued to live in Chicago until 1949 when they moved to Gilman, WI. Wanda’s family moved back to Illinois in 1951 and settled in Leyden Township. Wanda was a homemaker for many years, and then worked for Automatic Electric Company in Northlake, IL. When John retired in 1976, they moved back to the Thorp area. When John passed away in 2000, Wanda moved back to Illinois to be closer to her children.

While living in Thorp, Wanda was a member of the Thorp American Legion Post #118, and St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its Parish Council of Catholic Women.

Wanda had many interests, which included gardening, cooking, and playing cards with friends, and traveling. In 2012, Wanda was privileged to take part in an Honor Flight Chicago trip to Washington D. C. to visit the National War Memorials.

She is survived by her two children: Pat (Ron) Empen and Ron (Susan) Cukla; four grandchildren: Sean Empen, Shannon (Tony) Randall, Stacey (Tyler) Beswick, and Julie Cukla; two great-grandchildren: Patrick Empen and Davin Empen; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John, on December 23, 2000; six brothers: Joseph, Tony, Edward, Adam, John and Victor Wojt; and four sisters: Harriet Tomkowiak, Rose Filipek, Edna Cereby, and Josephine Kozenka.

The family would like to thank Comfort Hospice for their care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Comfort Hospice, 8750 W. Bryn Mawr #460 Chicago, IL 60631.

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