Obit: Kowalczyk, Carolyn M. "Carole" (1935 – 2020)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kowalczyk, Johnson, Reckner, Debold, Cukla, Aszepetia, Denil, Pancyrz, Kostick, Struck, Barker, Heiting, Piekarz

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 05 Feb 2010

Kowalczyk, Carolyn M. "Carole" (1 MAY 1935 – 28 JAN 2020)

Carolyn M. “Carole” Kowalczyk, 84, Loyal, formerly of Thorp, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, at the Clark County Rehab & Living Center, Owen. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal, with Rev. Leo Johnson officiating. Pallbearers were Eliot Kowalczyk, Jason Reckner, David Debold, Jay Cukla, Juan Jose Aszepetia and Kimberly Cukla Denil.

Carolyn Marie Cukla was born on May 1, 1935, on the family farm, rural Thorp, the daughter of Charles A. and Anna M. (nee Pancyrz) Cukla. She was raised on the family farm, and started working at a young age doing farm work for a neighbor while attending school. She received her education in the Gilman area, graduating from Gilman High School in 1952. After completing high school, she married Joseph S. Kowalczyk on Oct. 11, 1952, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin. She was a full-time homemaker, plus she worked part-time as a cook/waitress at the Bar Cafe in Gilman. Carole was an active member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Gilman, was involved with the Gilman Boy Scouts, and was a member of the Homemaker’s Club. In 1970, they moved to Loyal and bought the Loyal Hotel, which she managed until her retirement. She was a member and active in St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. She had many interests. She enjoyed gardening, baking, playing cards, and dancing polkas, although her favorite past time was camping and fishing, followed by “shopping” at a casino. Carole was always willing to help a family member or anyone who was in need.

She will be dearly missed by her four children: Susan Kowalczyk of Marshfield, Rodney Kowalczyk of Loyal, Robin Kowalczyk of Marshfield, and Laurie Kowalczyk of Loyal; three grandchildren: Jason Reckner of Rock Springs, Josianne Reckner of Marshfield, and Eliot (Amanda) Kowalczyk of Neillsville; one great-granddaughter: Charley Kowalczyk of Neillsville; seven sisters: Gertrude (Roman) Kostick of Ladysmith, Evelyn Debold of Medford, Patricia Struck of Milwaukee, Harriet Denzin of Milwaukee, Mary Barker of Phoenix, Ariz., Barbara Heiting of Phillips, and Delores Piekarz of Phoenix, Ariz.; one brother: James (Karen) Cukla of Rockport, Texas; a special friend, Donna Cukla; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe, on Jan. 25, 2011; and three brothers-in-law: Robert “Neil” Barker, Leonard Heiting and Peter Debold.

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

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.