2

BioM: Meske, Vera (1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Meske, Calmes, Schmirler, Seubert, Loehrke, Hodnik

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 28 Apr 1976

Meske, Vera (22 Apr 1976)

Vera Meske and George Calmes were united in marriage at St. Bernard’s Rectory, Abbotsford, on Thursday, April 22, 1976 at a 7 p.m. service.

Witnesses were Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Schmirler.

Dinner was served at the Colby Hotel to the couple, the witnesses, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Meske, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Seubert, the Rev. and Mrs. Kenneth Loehrke and the Rev. Emil Hodnik.

3

Obit: Berthold, Donald Charles (1929 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Berthold, Clintsman, Williams, Beyer, Zimmer, Nueske, Lutynski, Hughes, Kurth, Rindt, Machi, Lillyblad, Andrews, Dix, Wepfer, Wagner, Woolum

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 10/11/2024

Berthold, Donald Charles (10 September 1929 – 9 October 2024)

Donald C. Berthold, age 95, of Greenwood, passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield.

Donald Charles Berthold was born on September 10, 1929, in Willard, to Morris H. and Celia R. (Clintsman) Berthold. He was raised on the family farm and received his education at Wildwood School in the Town of Seif. After completing his schooling, Don worked on the family farm, and other farms, until his marriage to Nettie E. Williams on November 1, 1950, in Adams. They moved and lived in Colorado for a short time before returning to Neillsville, where he worked for a while as a plumber. Don later went to work for Speich Tractors in Greenwood, where he worked for more than 30 years as a diesel mechanic until the business closed. He then went to work for Bushman Enterprises in Greenwood for a couple years, also as a mechanic. In 1988, Don went to work for the Greenwood Public Schools as a custodian until retiring in 2010. He also served his community as a member of Greenwood Fire & Ambulance from 1957-1976, and later just continued as a fireman and mechanic from 1982-1999.

He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, hunting, feeding the deer, and being outdoors.

Don will be dearly missed by his children: Gloria (Bob) Beyer of Shawano, Jean Zimmer of Greenwood, James Berthold (fiancé Lana Nueske-Lutynski) of Wausau; 9 grandchildren: Lisa (Josh) Hughes of Bonduel, Andrew Beyer of Shawano, Jill Zimmer of Charleston, WV, John Benjamin (Samantha) Zimmer of Greenwood, Jessica (Sirena) Kurth-Rindt, Jennifer (Josh) Kurth-Machi, Jeffrey Kurth, Mikayla Berthold and Noah Berthold, all of Wausau; 5 great-grandchildren: Greyson Beyer, Lila Hughes, Theodore Hughes, Eli Zimmer and Zoey Zimmer; one brother: Victor (Winifred "Winnie) Berthold of Backus, MN; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nettie, in 2019; his parents; and his siblings: Lorraine Lillyblad and Leonard "Jim" Berthold.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church Hall (Basement), in Greenwood, with Mr. Travis Wagner and Miss Linda Woolum officiating. Visitation will be held in the church hall on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow in the Greenwood City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff Andrews, Noah Berthold, Andrew Beyer, Tom Dix, Duane Wepfer, and John Benjamin Zimmer.

4

Obit: Burzynski, Edmund John (1935 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Burzynski, Kowalski, Kurtinaitis, Marshall, Wills, Clere, Grotzinger, Staron, Leganski, Dziekan, Link, Wrobel, Konieczny, Liszewski, Depa, Buzinski, Bertalmio, Dziekan, Paveleck, Stachnik

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 10/11/2024

Burzynski, Edmund John (5 February 1935 – 9 October 2024)

Edmund J. Burzynski, age 89, of Thorp, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Eau Claire, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

Edmund John Burzynski was born on February 5, 1935, on the family farm in the Town of Thorp, the youngest of 12 children born to John and Anna (Kowalski) Burzynski. He was raised on the family farm and received his education at the Field School. After completing his education, Edmund remained on the family farm and worked with his father. He was united in marriage to Ruth J. Kurtinaitis on October 18, 1958, at St. Mary’s of Czestochowa Catholic Church in a double wedding ceremony. He took over the operation of his family farm, where he and Ruth raised their eight children. Edmund resided on the farm until his death.

He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He often sent them home with a dollar bill, or more, in their pockets (some even called him “Grandpa Buck”). Edmund also enjoyed having relatives from Illinois visit, hunting, fishing (especially with his children), shooting pool in the tavern league, driving around the countryside looking for deer, visiting with friends, playing cards, shaking dice, coffee at the Dairy Bar, Polka music and watching Wheel of Fortune.

Edmund will be dearly missed by his wife of 65 years, Ruth, of Thorp; his children: John of Thorp, Tommy of Eau Claire, Michael (Betty) of Thorp, Debbie Marshall of Eau Claire, Donna (Rollie) Wills of Grand Rapids, MN, Diane (Loren) Clere of Eau Claire, and Darlene (Mike) Grotzinger of Ladysmith; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; four sisters: Theresa (Adam) Staron of Janesville, Julia Leganski of Chicago, IL, Celia (Joe) Dziekan of Downers Grove, IL, and Emily Link of Elmwood Park, IL; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his infant son Joseph; great granddaughter Lakken Burzynski; parents; two brothers: Andy and Adam (who passed away in infancy); and five sisters: Martha Wrobel, Clara Konieczny, Anna Liszewski, Mary Depa, and Frances Buzinski.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at St. Mary’s of Czestochowa Catholic Church, Stanley. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service. Pallbearers will be Donnie Konieczny, Richie Wrobel, Larry Burzynski, Danny Buzinski, Bede Bertalmio, Kenny Konieczny, Greg Leganski and Ron Depa. Honorary pallbearers are Gerard Leganski, Susan Dziekan, Barb Paveleck and Mary Ann Stachnik will walk with the pallbearers, carrying a rose. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

5

Obit: Lewis, Peec Hirakaraga Harold Arnold (1942 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Lewis, Decorah, McKinley, Rave, Blackdeer, Rutherford, Sanchez, Stansfield, Hendricks, Trickle, McBride

----Source: Buswell Funeral Home (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 10/10/2024

Lewis, Peec Hirakaraga, Harold Arnold (18 June 1942 - 2024)

Peec Hirakaraga Harold Arnold Lewis, 82, passed away on October 3, 2024, with his loving family at his side.

Harold was born to George and Marie (Decorah) Lewis on June 18, 1942, in Merrillan where he grew up with his eight siblings.

After graduating from Black River Falls High School, Harold attended classes at UW-La Crosse. While in La Crosse, Harold met the love of his life and life partner, Carol. The two shared many wonderful years with their daughters, Sherry and Diane.

Harold began his own business, LEWISigns, in the mid-60s and worked for almost fifty years as a sign painter, painting many storefronts, trucks, and commercial billboards in Wisconsin and surrounding states. After work and on the weekends, Harold used his painting expertise on the stock car track, where other drivers would have him paint their sponsor, logos, and car numbers. A racer himself, Harold and his family often traveled the Midwest to participate in and watch many NASCAR races.

In addition to watching NASCAR, Harold also enjoyed watching NFL and NBA games. He was an avid reader and could usually be found with a newspaper in his hands. Harold loved all dogs, but German Shepherds were his favorite. Above all else, Harold loved his family and spending time with them. Whether traveling together, attending a sporting event, or sharing stories, he was happiest when he was around his family.

Harold is survived by his two loving daughters, Sherry (Scott) McKinley and Diane (Stuart) Rave, his life partner Carol J. Lewis, his siblings Bernice Blackdeer and George (Ruth) Lewis, his grandchildren Ashley Rutherford, Whitney Sanchez, Natalie Rave, Talyn Stansfield, and Dylan McKinley, and many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie Lewis, his siblings Spencer Lewis, Alvin Lewis, Benjamin Lewis, Joseph Lewis, Velma Lewis, and Mary Ann Hendricks, his step-grandson Christopher McKinley, and long-time NASCAR friend Dick Trickle.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 7th, 2024, at the Buswell Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. After the visitation, there will be a funeral service at 11:30, with Pastor David McBride officiating, followed by a burial in the Hocak United Church of Christ church cemetery. The family would like to invite all in attendance to a meal afterward at the HHCDA Mission Community Building.

6

Obit: Culton, Alan Dean (1962 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Culton, Deegan, Wutke, Artac, Scheel

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 10/13/2024

Culton, Alan Dean (12 August 1962 – 5 October 2024)

Alan D. Culton, age 62, of Greenwood, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield.

Alan Dean Culton was born on August 12, 1962, in Fort Atkinson, to Dean K. and Jeanette L. (Deegan) Culton. He was raised and received his education in Whitewater until 1970, when his family moved to Greenwood, where he completed his education. Alan then moved to Louisiana where he worked for a couple years before returning to Whitewater. In 1988, he moved to Neillsville where he worked as a roofer, then at Barr's Animal Foods in Greenwood, and at a cheese factory in Augusta until retiring.

He had many interests, but especially loved hunting, fishing, singing karaoke, and playing cards.

He is survived by three step-children: Dan Wutke of Alma Center, Brandi Artac of Thorp, Tory Culton of Greenwood; three step-grandchildren: Emma, K'Lynn, and Elizabeth; one brother, Anthony Culton, of Elkhart, IN; one sister, Sherry Scheel, of Withee; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a nephew, Brian Culton.

A graveside service will be held for Alan at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Columbia Cemetery, Town of Hewett, rural Neillsville, followed by a Celebration of Life at Apple Valley Bar & Restaurant in Neillsville.

7

Obit: Palms, Iva Florence (1927 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Palms, Hoy, Bertrang, Braeger, Fitzl, Ustianowski, Briski, Salzgeber, Nitz, White, Ciokiewicz, Mikolainis, Leigh. Kaiser, VanDeLoo

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 10/13/2024

Palms, Iva Florence (11 October 1927 – 4 October 2024)

Iva F. Palms, age 96, of Greenwood, formerly of Thorp, passed away at home on Friday, October 4, 2024.

Iva Florence Bertrang was born on a farm in Mount Pulaski, IL, on October 11, 1927, one of 13 children born to Walter F. and Nelia F. (Hoy) Bertrang. When she was a young girl, her family moved to Fairchild, where she was raised on a farm and received her education. After completing her education, she remained at home to take care of her ailing mother.

Iva met the love of her life, Robert K. Palms, and she were united in marriage on May 15, 1947. They had 16 children together, living in Fairchild, Neillsville, and later, Thorp. While Iva was raising her children, she would occasionally cook for surrounding taverns where they would have “coon feeds”, and would make all the fixings for it as well. On occasion, she would also help with the cooking of Friday night fish fries. They would always plant a large garden, where she canned all of the vegetables and would also sell bushels of everything to make a little extra money. Iva was a wonderful, caring Mom. She helped her kids with homework, never missed a Christmas program, and provided anything else her kids needed. When the grandchildren came, she spent endless hours rocking, kissing and singing to them, which brought her the most joy. Iva also enjoyed Sunday dinners with her kids and their families, visiting relatives, fishing, quilting, playing cards and BINGO. She was very thrifty and saved everything. Following her husband’s death on January 18, 1996, she remained at her home in Thorp, then later moved to Morgan Plaza in town. She loved living there and all the activities it offered. Iva enjoyed helping others and would take friends and other tenants at Morgan Plaza to their doctor appointments or along with her to Bingo. When it became too hard for Iva to live on her own in Morgan Plaza, she moved in with her daughter, Patty and her husband, Jim, in Greenwood, where she resided for the past 7 years. They cared for her, along with her granddaughter, Jennifer Briski-Riemer, and daughter, Lucy, until her death. Iva was loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by 13 children: Roberta Braeger of Red Granite, Nancy (James) Fitzl of Augusta, Eugene "Butch" (Renee) Palms of Thorp, Gordon (Debra) Palms of Withee, Kenneth Palms of Coloma, Cheryl Ustianowski of Chippewa Falls, David Palms of Neillsville, Patricia (James) Briski of Greenwood, Valorie (Eddy) Salzgeber of Barron, Lucy Nitz (Les White) of Boyd, Renata (Allen) Ciokiewicz of Stanley, Dotty (Robert) Mikolainis of Thorp, and Tina Palms of Rhinelander; 41 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren; daughter-in-law: Patricia Palms of West Allis, sister-in-law: Shirley Bertrang of Fairchild; nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; two sons: Gary and LaVern "Popeye" Palms; her daughter, Wanda Leigh; and one great grandson, Adam Kaiser.

A memorial service will be at 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp, with Pastor Randy VanDeLoo officiating. Burial will follow in Sylvan Cemetery in the Town of Reseburg, rural Thorp. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 11 a.m. until time of service.

Obit: Schemenauer, Raymond (1934 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Schemenauer, Calmes, Zettler, Mullens, Mech, Wehrman, Hurley, Diez, Nowacki, Redman, Gesicki, Graham

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 10/12/2024

Schemenauer, Raymond G. (10 November 1934 – 10, October 2024)

Raymond G. Schemenauer, age 89, of Athens, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, October 10, 2024. under the tender care of St. Croix Hospice.

Ray was born on November 10, 1934, the son of Elmer and Cecelia (Calmes) Schemenauer in Marathon County. He graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1953. Ray was drafted into the U. S. Army, stationed in Europe from 1952-54. On August 5, 1960, he was united in marriage to Joyce Zettler at St. John's Catholic Church in Wuertzberg. She preceded him in death on December 17, 2015.

Ray hauled canned milk for Charlie and Emil Mullins and Butch Mech at Diamond Dairy, farmed dairy cows, raised feeder pigs, worked for Murry Machinery for 25 years and retired from Weather Shield. He loved deer hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, shooting pool and spending time with the Hodag "gang." Ray was a member of the Midnight Riders and Frankfort Freedom Riders Snowmobile Clubs. Most importantly, he loved and cherished his family.

Ray is survived by his daughter, Marion (Whitey) Wehrman of Colby; four sons: Kevin (Linda) Schemenauer of Marathon, Kurt Schemenauer of Wausau, Keith Schemenauer of Wausau, and Ken Schemenauer of Wausau; five grandchildren: Chelsea (Kevin) Hurley, Shaun (Amanda) Wehrman, Jordyn Schemenauer, Collin Schemenauer, Carson (Brooke) Schemenauer and Savannah Schemenauer (fiancé, Santiago Diez); and three great-grandchildren: Wylie Wehrman, Kyler and Jace Hurley. He is further survived by one brother and two sisters: Kathleen (Glenn) Zettler, Elmer Schemenauer and Susan (Dennis) Nowacki; a sister-in-law, Marian Schemenauer; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce; a sister in infancy, Mary Jane and his sister, JoAnn Redman and his brother, Peter Schemenauer.

The family would like to thank all the caring staff at Colby Senior Care and St. Croix Hospice Services. We would like to thank a very special person in Dad’s life, Dad’s niece and our cousin, Pam Gesicki, for all the love, kindness & help she gave Dad. We will be forever grateful to her.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Milan. Father George Graham will officiate. Inurnment to follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Athens Area Vets. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond, please visit our floral store.

8

Obit: Schemenauer, Raymond (1934 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Schemenauer, Calmes, Zettler, Mullens, Mech, Wehrman, Hurley, Diez, Nowacki, Redman, Gesicki, Graham

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 10/12/2024

Schemenauer, Raymond G. (10 November 1934 – 10, October 2024)

Raymond G. Schemenauer, age 89, of Athens, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, October 10, 2024. under the tender care of St. Croix Hospice.

Ray was born on November 10, 1934, the son of Elmer and Cecelia (Calmes) Schemenauer in Marathon County. He graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1953. Ray was drafted into the U. S. Army, stationed in Europe from 1952-54. On August 5, 1960, he was united in marriage to Joyce Zettler at St. John's Catholic Church in Wuertzberg. She preceded him in death on December 17, 2015.

Ray hauled canned milk for Charlie and Emil Mullins and Butch Mech at Diamond Dairy, farmed dairy cows, raised feeder pigs, worked for Murry Machinery for 25 years and retired from Weather Shield. He loved deer hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, shooting pool and spending time with the Hodag "gang." Ray was a member of the Midnight Riders and Frankfort Freedom Riders Snowmobile Clubs. Most importantly, he loved and cherished his family.

Ray is survived by his daughter, Marion (Whitey) Wehrman of Colby; four sons: Kevin (Linda) Schemenauer of Marathon, Kurt Schemenauer of Wausau, Keith Schemenauer of Wausau, and Ken Schemenauer of Wausau; five grandchildren: Chelsea (Kevin) Hurley, Shaun (Amanda) Wehrman, Jordyn Schemenauer, Collin Schemenauer, Carson (Brooke) Schemenauer and Savannah Schemenauer (fiancé, Santiago Diez); and three great-grandchildren: Wylie Wehrman, Kyler and Jace Hurley. He is further survived by one brother and two sisters: Kathleen (Glenn) Zettler, Elmer Schemenauer and Susan (Dennis) Nowacki; a sister-in-law, Marian Schemenauer; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce; a sister in infancy, Mary Jane and his sister, JoAnn Redman and his brother, Peter Schemenauer.

The family would like to thank all the caring staff at Colby Senior Care and St. Croix Hospice Services. We would like to thank a very special person in Dad’s life, Dad’s niece and our cousin, Pam Gesicki, for all the love, kindness & help she gave Dad. We will be forever grateful to her.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Milan. Father George Graham will officiate. Inurnment to follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Athens Area Vets. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond, please visit our floral store.

9

Bio: Rice, Henry M.

Transcriber: Leon Konieczny

Surnames: Rice, Hatch, Pierson, Myrick

----Document provided by Leon Konieczny
 

I am researching Henry M. Rice, a major name for Minn. Territory, but a man who launched his career at Prairie du Chien and at Ft. Atkinson in the Iowa "Neutral Ground" in early 1840s. E. A. C. Hatch, A. T. C. Pierson, and Nathan Myrick of the early La Crosse days are part of that story and all of them removed eventually to Minnesota, generally with the Winnebago who were displaced first from Wisconsin and then in 1848 from Iowa. Long Prairie, their destination, is in north central Minnesota in a lakes-and-portage-and-small prairies-and-forests biome different enough from the coulee country and Mississippi bluffs to make them unhappy. "Nice place for frogs."  

Rice was involved unofficially with the 1846 Winnebago treaty at Washington and was appointed the chooser for the emigration destination, a topic which I'm trying to uncrack. I believe that the main reason for Myrick and Hatch emigrating to Minnesota is that they had trader credits for the Winnebago. Pierson's family was related to them by marriage and I think these men may have all been Masons. Other La Crosse and Prairie du Chien business associates figure in here, as well as a second group of traders from Iowa. Those traders who emigrated north came up against northern traders in Ojibwe Country who brought in goods from Lake Superior, so a period of changing alliances and turf wars began. The politics of Indian Agencies got very confused during that time and Rice seems to have become king of the manipulators. The Winnebago were the richest tribe in our region and therefore a plum to be picked. Unfortunately they were also addicted to alcohol and the inconsistent policing of this is a parallel story. In 1855 the Winnebago were removed again, this time to southern Minnesota south of the big bend in the Minnesota River near Mankato. In 1863 they were completely and unfairly ejected from the state after the U.S.-Dakota war. By that time, few of the old traders were still with them. E. A. C. Hatch, who became a close personal friend of Henry M. Rice, was the head of "Hatch's Battalion" that chased Dakota on the British border. Ironically, some of the Winnebago had never left Wisconsin or had gone back there throughout that story, which is why you have your Ho-Chunk population to this day. 

You are welcome to append this letter (or parts of it) to your website, giving me credit for my version of this interconnected saga. 

I'm still stitching and stitching the various pieces.  I especially need material about Rice and his Cohort for the 1839-1852 period but I am confident enough in my narrative now that I give talks about Rice and the Winnebago Removal using the data I've collected so far. If your organization is interested, contact me?  

I can also give a Powerpoint talk explaining the structure of the Indian Agency--what is an Indian Agent? What did the Indian Agency do? What is the relationship between the local office and the Washington office? How did the territorial governor fit in? and so on. Learning about the Indian Agency is especially useful for genealogists and historians who are trying to parse the voluminous records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for specific data. I can explain how to cut through some of the confusion and I can show how to use pertinent websites.

Yours in historical pursuits,

Linda Louise Bryan, Independent Scholar

1752 Gulden Place

Maplewood MN 55109

10

Obit: Sikora, Catherine (1932 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Sikora, Szydlowski, Opelt, Mohan, Borucki

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/13/2024

Sikora, Catherine (26 June 1932 – 11 October 2024)


Catherine Sikora was born to eternal life October 11, 2024, after a short illness.


The youngest child of Anton and Martha Szydlowski, she entered earthly life June 26, 1932. The Polish south side of Milwaukee was her early home. She often recounted joyful adventures to downtown and elsewhere in and around the city with her mother, her first best friend. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1949, and married her beloved, John, in 1956. God called her parents, her sister Irene, and two of Irene's children home one tragic day in 1958. She and John, and their five children, moved from Milwaukee to central Wisconsin in the mid-60s, first to Pleasantville and Whitehall, then to Neillsville in the early 70s. God called her husband, John, to His kingdom thirty years ago this month. She continued to call East Second Street home thereafter and for many years her son, Tony, resided there to help her remain in the house she loved. She took great joy during those years volunteering at the local school, and being called "Grandma Katie" by all then and to her last day, a name based in her conviction being "Ma" and "Grandma" are among the highest human callings. She relocated in recent years, first to Mankato, Minnesota and then to Watertown, Wisconsin, where she met and made many new friends, and grew to love and look forward to weekly bingo, craft sessions, coffee with "the ladies", Sunday Communion with fellow Catholics in her apartment, pot lucks, and many other activities. The family is grateful to the Marquardt community in Watertown for many blessings. While her body weakened as years passed, her mind remained sharp. She enjoyed letter and card writing to family and others, each missive typically including a piece of juicy fruit gum or a dollar. She loved to eat, sweets, Polish food and homemade chicken soup and dumplings among many favorites. She was a long-time member of St. Mary Parish. The Eucharist and the rosary were lifelong companions, each of which no doubt comforted her through life and family loss. She greatly missed the many long departed, but loved life and told family that she greeted each day with a nod to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, pictures of which were always fixtures in her residences, thanking God for the new day.


She was preceded into eternity by her parents, her brother Victor, sisters Irene and Caroline, and her husband and lifelong love, John. She also counted among those who went ahead, and she wanted to meet in Paradise, children lost by miscarriage.
She is survived by her children, John (Stephanie) Sikora, Martha (Rick) Opelt, Monica Mohan, Joseph Sikora and Anthony Sikora, 14 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Jenny and her husband, brother-in-law Gary, Godsons Steve Sikora and John Borucki, nieces and nephews, and extended family, all special to her until her last breath.


Visitation will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1813 Black River Road, Neillsville, Wisconsin, with the Mass of Christian Burial at noon and interment at St. Mary Cemetery to follow.


In lieu of flowers, Grandma Katie asked for donations to the Salvation Army or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.


Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

 The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Catherine's family with funeral arrangements.


To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Catherine Sikora, please visit our flower store.

 

 

 


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