Obit: Joswiak, Alfred L. (1925 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bantes, Bluske, Jagodzinski, Joswiak, Kamenick, Streveler, Tigoy

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 12/20/2017

Joswiak, Alfred L. “Buddy” (10 APR 1925 - 18 DEC 2017)

Alfred L. “Buddy” Joswiak, 92, Marathon, died Dec. 18, 2017, at Copperleaf Assisted Living of Marathon under the care of Ministry Home Care and Hospice.

He was born April 10, 1925, in the town of Cassel to the late Anton F. and Agnes (Jagodzinski) Joswiak. On Oct. 28, 1950 he married Genevieve Kamenick at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. She survives.

Soon after he was born, he was given his nickname, “Buddy”, by his uncle, Frank Joswiak, Many of his friends and acquaintances knew him only as “Buddy.”

After graduating from Edgar High School in 1943, Alfred enlisted in the United States Navy and was trained as an electrician’s mate. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he boarded a troop ship in New York, heading for Europe. By June 28, he was on Omaha Beach in France where, for the next month, he was part of Navy salvage operations. Alfred spent most of the war in Europe repairing landing craft at a base in Salcombe, England. He did return to France for a few weeks in October 1944 to help repair port facilities in Cherbourg and Le Harve. After V-E Day, Alfred returned to the U.S. where he served on the U.S.S. Saipan, a light carrier, based in Philadelphia. He was honorably discharged on May 18, 1946, having attained the rank of petty officer 2nd class (E-5).

A proud veteran, Alfred was in his 70th year of membership in American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post No. 469 in Marathon and was a charter member VFW Memorial Post No. 10187 in Edgar. He served as commander of both posts on several different occasions and served in many other offices. Alfred was the Post Chaplain for the VFW at the time of his death. He enjoyed speaking of his service at Veterans Day programs at Edgar and Marathon schools. Alfred visited the memorials in Washington, D.C. on Never Forgotten Honor Flight No. 1 on April 27, 2010.

He and Genevieve were the owners/operators of a grocery store and meat processing plant, Country Home Locker, in the town of Cassel. Alfred was a master sausage maker. He continued to make sausage for friends and old customers for years after formally closing the business. In his later years he continued to mix and sell his sausage seasonings (a family secret). After closing Country Home Locker, Alfred worked at Marathon Electric until his retirement.

Alfred was involved in a variety of civic organizations and generously volunteered his time to serve his community and his church. A lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cassel, Alfred was a past president of the parish council, and served on the Wausau Deanery and La Crosse Diocesan Councils. At Sunday mass, he often served as lector or Eucharistic minister. He was a 3rd degree member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 1069 in Wausau for nearly 60 years. Alfred also was the “grill master” for many parish chicken dinners.

Over the years, he was elected and served as a member of the Edgar Board of Education and the Marathon County Board and as Cassel town treasurer. Alfred was past president of the Edgar Lions Club for whom he volunteered as an eye tissue transplant transporter for 33 years. For his service as a Lion, Alfred was recognized as a Knight of Sight and received the Melvin Jones Fellow award for humanitarian service by Lions International in 1999. In recognition of his community service, Alfred was named Edgar Area Citizen of the Year by the Edgar Jaycees in 1994 and was elected to the Edgar High School Hall of Fame in 2000. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, attending as many of his children’s and grandchildren’s school events as he could and setting a great example for his family.

Survivors include his wife, Genevieve, Marathon; six children, David (Catherine) Joswiak, Wausau, Steven (Donna) Joswiak, Wasilla, Alaska, Joan (Dean) Bluske, Onalaska, Russell (Lisa) Joswiak, Chatham, Ill., Andrew (Andrea) Joswiak, Village of Maine and Peter (Jill) Joswiak, Madison; daughter-in-law, Sheila Joswiak, Weston; 15 grandchildren; a step-granddaughter; 11 great-grandchildren; six step great-grandchildren; and two brothers, John (Ruth) Joswiak, Minocqua, and Raymond (Alvina) Joswiak, Edgar.

Besides his parents, Alfred was preceded in death by one son, Michael; a sister, Rose Ann Bantes; and three grandchildren, Benjamin, Cody and Alivia Joswiak.

The funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel. Rev. Felix Tigoy and the Rev. Robert Streveler presided. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Friends called from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, and again on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. There was a rosary service at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Marathon funeral home.

The family would especially like to thank Uncle Ray Joswiak and Uncle Wilbert Bantes for the many rides and much comradely they provided Dad during his last years. We also want to thank the staff of Ministry Home Care and Hospice and Heather and her staff at Copperleaf Assisted Living for their compassion and care.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony Spirituality Center, Marathon.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.