Obit: Prokopiak, David Edward (1964 - 2013)

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

Surnames: Prokopiak, Kozielek, Maier, Mohr, Anderson, Brown, Moriarity, Sweckard, Powell, Prentice, Seubert, Dombrowski, Konieczny, Pogodzinski, Hiebl

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co, WI) 12/04/2013

Prokopiak, David Edward (20 May 1964 - 1 December 2013)

David E. Prokopiak, age 49, of Thorp, passed away at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, on Sunday, December 1, 2013, surrounded by his wife and three daughters. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 6, 2013, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Charles Hiebl will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Terry Maier, Larry Maier, Brandon Maier, Jason Maier, Wesley Konieczny, Michael Prokopiak, David Dombrowski, Jim Pogodzinski and Eugene Pogodzinski. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Thursday, December 5, 2013, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary service, and again at the funeral home, on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

David Edward Prokopiak was born on May 20, 1964, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, to Bernard and Victoria (Kozielek) Prokopiak. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in Thorp, graduating from Thorp High School in 1982. After completing his education, he was united in marriage to Noreen L. Maier on August 13, 1983, at St. Hedwig’s Chapel in Thorp. They resided in the suburbs of Milwaukee, where Dave remodeled homes. In the summer of 1986, Dave moved back to Thorp and took over the family farm, where he resided until the time of his death.

In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching football, socializing with old friends and new acquaintances. Dave was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and the Thorp Sportsman’s Club.

He is survived by his loving wife, Noreen, of Thorp; three daughters: Rachel (Phil) Mohr of Menomonie, Lana (Jarrett) Anderson of Thorp, and Amber Prokopiak of Wisconsin Rapids; four grandchildren: Emma, Hailey, Parker and Ashton; thirteen siblings: Bernard (Sharon) Prokopiak of Des Plaines, IL, Lambert (Dine) Prokopiak of Wheeling, IL, Irene Brown of Arlington, VA, Ann Prokopiak of Stanley, Jeanne (John) Moriarity of Falls Church, VA, Virginia Sweckard of Odon, IN, Mary (Robert) Powell of St. Charles, IL, Barbara (John) Prentice of Parma, OH, Frank Prokopiak (Marlene Duce) of Stanley, Lillian Seubert of Marshfield, Lottie Dombrowski of Eau Claire, Therese (Pat) Seubert of Sussex and Robert Prokopiak of Medford; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He will also be missed by his loyal companion, “Bella.”

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Kenneth and Casimir; his grandparents; two brothers-in-law: Walter Brown and Paul Sweckard; one nephew, Kevin Sweckard; one niece, Stacey Prokopiak; and his mother and father-in-law: Edmund and Margaret Maier.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in David’s name for a memorial to be named at a later date.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

The account of David Prokopiak’s death from The Thorp Courier, 12/04/2013, page 3:

David Prokopiak, 49, Thorp, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Department responded to the crash that occurred Nov. 18 at about 10:15 p.m. on STH 73 about one-half mile north of Pine Road, Township of Thorp.

Investigation showed Prokopiak was driving south on STH 73 in a 1996 Ford F350 truck. He struck a truck/cattle trailer that had pulled out from a driveway. The vehicle was a 2009 Kenworth being operated by Jonathan D. Loomis, 29, Altoona.

Prokopiak was flown from the scene for treatment of his injuries. He died Sunday, Dec. 1. Loomis was not injured. Neither speed nor alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash.

This is the ninth traffic fatality in Clark County for 2013. The Thorp Fire and Ambulance and Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital air medical transport assisted at the scene.