Bio: Kudingo, Victoria (100th Birthday – 1968)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kudingo, Leja, Sopiarz, Derda, Schiffner, Kvistad, White, LeDuc, Roytek, Luzinski, Woniak, Skaleski

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 07 Nov 1968

Mrs. Victoria Kudingo of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.) was feted at an early birthday party Saturday, November 2nd, 1968. She will be 100 years old December 23rd.

Because a childish prayer, uttered more than half a century ago, has been answered, a grateful family fathered Saturday evening to celebrate.

It was about 1910 or 1911 that Victoria Kudingo entered their farm house and found her five small children in and around a big rocking chair singing a Polish prayer, "God, Give Our Mother a Long Life." The long ago episode held a deep meaning for Victoria and became one of her most cherished recollections.

On December 23, 1968, Mrs. Kudingo will be 100 years old, but her birthday celebration was moved up a few weeks to make it more convenient for out-of-state relatives to attend.

Saturday evening, November 2 about 50 guests gathered at the Thorpedo Restaurant in Thorp in honor of this bright-eyed alert centenarian, who attributes her long life to "hard work and a lot of prayer." Guests included her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Guests from out of town to attend the celebration were: Mrs. Helen Leja, Chicago; Mrs. Anna Sopiarz and family, Oak Lawn, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Derda and family, Niles, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schiffner and family of Roselle, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sopiarz and family, Oak Lawn, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Kvistad and family, Elmwood Park, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Donald White and family of Chippewa Falls; Miss Vernetta LeDuc, Chippewa Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Barney Roytek and family, Curtiss; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Luzinski, South St. Paul, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Luzinski, Chicago, and many from the Thorp area. Youngest guest to attend was a great-granddaughter, Victoria Lyn Kvistad, six weeks old.

Though she speaks no English, Mrs. Kudingo's ready smile conveyed her delight over he birthday cake, gifts and corsage. Nor did she lack for conversation for her children are equally conversant with English and Polish. A message was received from the President of the United States. It said, "My sincere congratulations upon you birthday. May good health be yours through many more happy years, Lyndon B. Johnson."

Victoria Kudingo was born December 23, 1868 in Ostenciny, Poland. Though her education consisted of mastering the ABC's, she learned the skills of cooking and homecare, as well as many difficult jobs about the farm. As a little girl she tended the family's flock of geese, and when she was older she helped with the harvest by feeding grain into the threshing machine.

When she was about 20 years old she married a Mr. Woniak, and they had one son named Frank. Mr. Woniak died within a few years, and in 1902 Victoria came to the United States. She spent some time in Chicago, then moved to Stanley, Wis. to be with a sister. There she met Peter Kudingo,a dn within two weeks they were married.

The Kudingo's settled on a 120 acre farm four miles north of Thorp on what is now Highway 73. They had seven children. They are: Helen Leja, Chicago; Mrs. Ben (Stella) Skaleski of Thorp; Mrs. John (Fella) Roytek, Thorp; Leon, Thorp; Mrs. John (Agnes) Sopiarz, deceased; Mrs. Joe (Anna) Sopiarz, Chicago; Mamie, deceased; Frank Wozniak, who died about 1940. There are 11 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Victoria was widowed a second time in 1933. Over 60 years of her life were spent on the same farm and for 30 of those years of her life she lived alone. Since August 1966 she has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. John Rude, longtime friends and neighbors.

St. Hedwig's Parish of Thorp has been Mrs. Kudingo's church for 66 years. A priest now calls on her once a month to administer the sacraments.

Victoria Kudingo has been blessed with exceptional good health. She does not wear glasses and has never needed the service of a doctor or a dentist.

Through the years her teeth have deteriorated and loosened, so that she could remove them herself. She now has just on solidly anchored tooth; one which started to grow when she was 75. Though she has been used to …(the rest of my article was cut off)