Obit: Gagas, Leo S. (1918 – 2008)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Gagas, Myzek, Wanta, Osowski, Wiza, Sobczak

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) Sunday, 2 Nov. 2008

Gagas, Leo S. (6 Feb. 1918 – 30 Oct. 2008)

Leo S. Gagas of 2740 County Road J, town of Sharon, Rosholt, was called home to eternal life with Jesus early Thursday morning at the Stevens Point Care Center with his loving family at his side. Age: 90. Leo was born Feb. 6, 1918, in the town of Sharon. He was the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Myzek) Gagas. He attended school in the town of Sharon. On Nov. 17, 1945, he married Elizabeth Wanta at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in the town of Bevent.

After their marriage, the couple settled on the family farm in the town of Sharon. Leo dairy farmed until his retirement in 1974. Leo also worked for the CCC as a logger, the box factory in Rosholt and also helped plow snow for the town of Sharon. After his retirement, Leo had a small hobby farm, where he raised chickens and beef, which he shared with his family and friends until 1982.

In 1983, he devoted his new "green thumb" to his garden, which seemed to get bigger every year. Leo and Elizabeth were active in the Portage County Foster Care Program, and shared their home with many children over the 20 years that they were foster parents. His Catholic faith was important to him and attended church regularly and prayed daily. Leo was also a active member of the Holy Name Society, and the St. Isadore Society of Sacred Heart Church. Leo enjoyed field work, making firewood and being outdoors and working with his hands. He enjoyed picking berries and mushrooms. He also loved to fish, and yes, even ice fishing. No matter what the temperature was, as long as the fish were biting, he would fish. Several of his fishing buddies are gone, but they are having a reunion in heaven.

Some of his other enjoyments were visiting with his family and friends, going to church picnics, weddings and especially the polka music. In his final years, he cherished visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial in his name will be established at a later date.

Survivors: his wife, Elizabeth Gagas, Rosholt, his four children, Barbara (Stanley) Wiza, Oshkosh, Dennis (Theresa) Gagas, Stevens Point, Cecilia (Michael) Sobczak, Stevens Point, Lawrence "Larry" (Elaine) Gagas, Rosholt, nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. Leo was preceded in death by one great-grandchild, three brothers and six sisters.

Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia. The Rev. Chester Osowski will be officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home, and from 10 a.m. Monday at the church until the time for Mass. There will be a parish rosary at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.