Obit: Potaczek, Bernard S. "Ben" (1931 – 2018)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Potaczek, Kowalski, Romanowski, Patnaude, Pawlak, Makovec, Lukes, Wehling, Douglas, Hegenson, Waligura, Seichter, Symbal, Dombrowski, Kratochvil

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 111 Apr 2018

Potaczek, Bernard S. "Ben" (20 AUG 1931 – 6 APR 2018)

Bernard S. "Ben" Potaczek, age 86, of Stanley, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 6, 2018, at Oakbrook Heath & Rehab, in Thorp, with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Janusz Kowalski will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Pallbearers will be: Ben Potaczek, Bill Potaczek, Larry Romanowski, Adam Potaczek, Dustin Romanowski, Brian Romanowski, Trevor Patnaude and Nolan Patnaude. Honorary pallbearers will be: Jennifer Pawlak, Jody Makovec, Jill Lukes, Crystal Romanowski, Cora Wehling, Carlene Douglas, Cathy Potaczek, Cindy Hegenson, Carissa Potaczek, and Sarah Romanowski. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again at the church, on Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Bernard Stanley Potaczek was born on August 20, 1931, in Stanley, WI, to Sebastian and Mary (Waligura) Potaczek. He was raised on the family farm and received his education at the Junction school. Ben was united in marriage to Dorothy R. Seichter on September 16, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Boyd. They took over the operation of his parent's home farm, where they raised their family and farmed until retiring.

He is a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp; a former member of St. Man/ of Czestochowa Catholic Church in Junction, where he was instrumental in the construction of the church and was the bingo caller for many years at the church's annual festival; and previously served as the town constable for the Thorp Township.

Ben had many interests, bill especially loved spending time with his family, family gatherings, playing tricks on his grandchildren, hunting, fishing, building and fixing things, and tinkering.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy, of Stanley; five children: David (Karen) of Stanley, Beverly (Larry) Romanowski of Stanley, Ronald (Patty) of Thorp, Barbara Romanowski of Gilman, Betty Potaczek of Alpharetta, GA; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Bernice Symbal of Stanley, Theresa (Leonard) Dombrowski of Thorp; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law, Dan Romanowski; one sister, Irene Kratochvil; and six brothers: Joe, Steve, Sylvester, Henry, Alois and Julius Potaczek. His family is grateful for the love and joy he shared, and the example of how to live a life well-lived.

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