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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
© Every submission is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.
Show your appreciation of this freely provided information by not copying it to any other site without our permission.
Become a Clark County History Buff
|
|
A site created and
maintained by the Clark County History Buffs
Webmasters: Leon Konieczny, Tanya Paschke, Janet & Stan Schwarze, James W. Sternitzky,
|