Obit: Turczyn, Jean Carol (1917 - 2008)

Contact: Stan

Surnames: Turczyn, Wikary, Lawson, Trotta, Boyer, Short, Keller

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Sunday, 7 Dec. 2008

Turczyn, Jean Carol (20 Oct. 1917 - 4 Dec. 2008)

This obituary is a tribute to a remarkable woman we had the honor of calling mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Jean Carol (Wikary) Turczyn was born October 20, 1917, in Lublin, Poland. She recounted a wonderful childhood with her parents, Joseph and Catherine Wikary, her brothers, Marion and Stanislaw, and her sister, Lottie, who have all preceded her in death.

On January 10, 1940, her life was dramatically changed by WWII with first the invasion by Hitler's army, followed shortly after (18 days) by the insurgence of Stalin's army to drive the Germans westward. As in all wars, there are spoils to be claimed by the victor. Stalin's army took families (manpower/labor) as well as any riches to be transported to Siberia. Younger men worked mines and older members as well as women and children worked in lumber camps and fields. During this time, mother recounted how they were not allowed to conduct any prayer services or be caught in any act of prayer for fear of severe punishment, if not death.

My mother was Polish. Polish people have a very strong Catholic upbringing and faith in the goodness of God. She never faltered in her belief and trust in God, it was only strengthened through this ordeal.

Polish and English troops arrived in Siberia in August of 1943. They gave the liberated captives a choice of remaining in Siberia to be cared for for a period of time or to strike out on their own. Mother pawned her high school graduation gold watch to purchase a ticket to Persia (Iran). Eventually, she was reunited with her sister, mother and father. Her brothers enlisted in the Polish army and were never seen again by Mom.

Eventually, with the assistance of family in Chicago, Mom came to the United States and worked for a short period of time in a factory in Chicago. Through family acquaintances, she came for a visit to Wisconsin and met our father, Andrew Turczyn. Their courtship was through letters. Eight years after her ordeal started, she and Dad saw each face-to-face for the second time on their wedding day, January 10, 1948.

They returned to Neillsville to raise a family and farm, which was no easy feat since mother spoke and understood minimal English. However, through the years, she became a respected member of the church and community.

Mother died Thursday, December 4, 2008, at the Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with a Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11 a.m. at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. A meal will be served in the basement of St. Mary's Catholic Church after the services.

We love you Mom and we will all miss you: children, Mary Ann Lawson, Gloria (Keller) Trotta, Elizabeth (Bruce) Boyer, Carol (Steve) Short and James Turczyn. Grandchildren, Michael (Robin) Lawson and Gregory (Tracey) Lawson, David (Tonya) Keller and Robert (Mary Ellen) Keller, James (Lisa) Boyer, Misty Boyer and Joseph Boyer, Samantha, Andrew, Katharine and Theodore Turczyn and the Great Grandchildren. The Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville is assisting Turczyn's family with funeral arrangements.

Responses

Re: Obit: Turczyn, Jean Carol (1917 - 2008)

Contact: Holly Turner
Email: hollykainz@yahoo.com

I was doing family history research and found this obituary.

I sent this email as soon as I saw the name "Lottie" mentioned. One of my father's sisters was named Lottie (born 1917 in Chicago). Their surname at birth was actually TURCZYNOWICZ, but the brothers shortened it. My dad shortened his to FRED TURNER, but uncle Chester shortened his to TURCZYN. At any rate, I suspect that your dad, Andrew Turczyn, may have been my dad's cousin, or even brother (Chester was the only paternal uncle I got to meet, as my family lived in Southern California). I had had my hands full looking up TURCZYNs in Illinois, and hadn't gotten to the ones living in other midwestern states. I'd like to make your acquaintance. Please shoot me a quick email if you can.

Sincerely, Holly Turner

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