Obit: Strzok, Theodore J. Sr. "Ted" (1926 – 2018)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Strzok, Moskiewicz, Stokosa, Golat, Tainter, Craker, Kuc, Schmelzer, Hennekens, Franckiewicz, Juza

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 07 Feb 2018

Strzok, Theodore J. Sr. "Ted" (19 MAR 1926 – 3 FEB 2018)

Theodore (Ted) Joseph Strzok Sr., 91, of Ladysmith, formerly of Holcombe, passed from this life Saturday, February 3, 2018, at his home surrounded by his children.

Ted was born on March 19, 1926, in Chicago, IL to Thomas and Mary (Moskiewicz) Strzok and lived in the Lublin area, attending Plainview School through the 8th grade. He loved polka music and to dance, even playing the accordion at one time. Ted was drafted into the Army at age 19, serving in Naples, Italy post- WWII. Ted's early employment years included working in the shipyards in Washington, working in the tool and die department at International Harvester in Chicago mastering his sharpening skills, and working at Ford Aircraft Division. mm*m Ted was very proud of those Chicago employment years,
even carrying a IH pay stub in his wallet all these years.

Ted married Louise Stokosa at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin on September 12, 1953. They lived in Chicago and farmed in Thorp before settling in Holcombe in 1961, acquiring the Tivoli Cafe at the corner of 27 and M. They added a bar and sport shop and the business became known as Ted &
Lou's. Ted and Louise became parents to seven children. Ted had a successful logging business and enjoyed ice fishing as well as elk hunting out west and Canadian moose hunting trips. Louise passed away in 1978 leaving him with children as young as age 4. Ted sold the business and became a millwright until his retirement in 1988. He married Mabel Tainter Golat in Las Vegas in 1983. They enjoyed winters in Texas and Missouri and road trips to Alaska. In later years Ted and Mabel moved to Ladysmith where Ted enjoyed cooking, keeping up with world news, watching the Milwaukee Brewers and providing expert advice/assistance with his children's projects. A major highlight was his bi-weekly casino trips to Turtle Lake.

Ted is survived by four sons; Sidney (Jill) of Monument, CO, Thomas (Sandy), Holcombe, Brian (Shawna) of Holcoinbe and Theodore Jr. (Lori Ann) of Cornell; and three daughters: Sharon (Lee) Craker of Cornell, Sandra (Jack) Evans of Shell Knob, MO and Laurie (Howard) Hennekens of Holcombe. Also surviving are grandsons: Eric (Molly) Craker, Steve (Terri) Craker, Anthony Strzok, Michael (Nicole) Kuc, Justin Schmelzer, Ross Hennekens, Sawyer Strzok, Preston Strzok, Thayne Strzok, Nolan and Brian II Strzok; granddaughters: Sonja (Kevin) Griffith, Katie (Dan) Olsen, Jennifer (Chad) Gago, April Strzok, Haylee Hennekens, Brianna Strzok, Noelle and McKayla Strzok. Further survived by 16 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; sister, Dolores Frankiewicz of Thorp; and sister-in-law, Alice Sciezor of Hastings, MN.as well as Mabel's children.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife Louise in 1978; and wife Mabel in 2015; sisters: Clara and Mary; brothers: Leon and Marion, Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin, WI with Father Philip J. Juza officiating.

Military Honors were conducted by the Lublin American Legion Post #547 following services at the Church. A private burial will be in the Church Cemetery at a later date. Visitation was from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with an 8:00 p.m. Vigil Prayer Service on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at the Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, WI. Visitation was also one hour prior to the Funeral Mass Wednesday morning at the Church.

Express online condolences at www.leiserbortonfuneralhome.com.