Obit: Kozenka, Joseph G. (1921 - 2012)

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

Surnames: Kozenka, Norysiewicz, Wojt, Hammer, Michur, Meuret

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 10/10/2012

Kozenka, Joseph G. (6 January 1921 - 6 October 2012)

Joseph G. Kozenka, age 91, of Thorp, passed away at Our lady of Victory Hospital, in Stanley, on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 11, 2012, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Don Meuret will officiate and burial will follow in old St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Gary Kozenka, Bill Kozenka, Nick Kozenka, Ashley Mitchell, Brian Robertson and Stefanie Robertson. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral home on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary service, and again on Thursday, at the church, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Joseph George Kozenka was born on January 6, 1921, in the Town of Withee, rural Thorp, the son of John and Josephine (Norysiewicz) Kozenka. He was raised on the family farm and received his education in the Thorp area. Joe was united in marriage on August 18, 1945, to Josephine Wojt at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. They bought his parents’ farm, in the Town of Withee, and farmed until 1968, at which time they moved into Thorp. Whole on the farm, Joe also worked for Winger Cheese and later at the Stanley Corporation. After moving to Thorp, Joe went to work for the Clark County Health Care Center, in Owen, and retired after 24 years of employment.

He was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and had many interests, but especially enjoyed woodworking, dancing, playing cards and gardening.

Joe will be dearly missed by his wife, Josephine, of Stanley; three sons: Robert (Arlene) Kozenka of Altoona, William (Sue) Kozenka of Marshfield, and Gary Kozenka (Karen Hammer) of Wheeler; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter-in-law, Arlene Kozenka; one sister, Sophie Michur; and one brother, Walter Kozenka, in infancy.

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

Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.