Obit: Kaczmarek, Lillian Leona “Lil” (1925 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kaczmarek, Stroinski, Teclaw, Szymanski, Antony

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 12/21/2022

Kaczmarek, Lillian Leona “Lil” (23 September 1925 - 18 December 2022)

Lillian L. "Lil" Kaczmarek, age 97, of Thorp, passed away at her home on Sunday, December 18, 2022

Lillian Leona Teclaw was born on September 23, 1925, Lublin, to Michael S. and Verna (Stroinski) Teclaw. As a young girl, her family moved to Thorp where she attended Sterling School. After completing her education, Lil hauled milk and did bookwork for her father at his cheese factory. After the cheese factory closed in 1941, she went to work at the Farmer’s Store in Thorp. Lil was united in marriage to Leon L. Kaczmarek on September 1, 1948, at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. In 1948, they purchased a tavern on Washington Street in Thorp, and Leon & Lil's was born. For 52 years they operated the tavern until retiring on July 1, 2000. Throughout the years, they were godparents to many children, and were very giving and generous to family and friends.

She was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church. As a young lady, Lil sang in the choir at St. Hedwig's Church, until its closing in 1970, and was asked to sing for many weddings. Lil was a past member of the Thorp Businessmen’s Association, the Clark County Tavern League, and the Thorp American Legion Auxiliary.

Lil is survived by five brothers: Alois Teclaw of Oshkosh, Marion Teclaw of Clive, IA, Raymond Teclaw of Thorp, Richard Teclaw of Henderson, NV, and David (Carol) Teclaw of Excelsior, MN; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Leon, Malen "Butch", and Norbert Teclaw; and three sisters: her twin sister, Florence Teclaw, Marcella Szymanski, and Angeline Teclaw.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Stanislaus Michael Antony will officiate, and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a 7:15 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary service, followed by a rosary service at 7:30 p.m.