Obit: Penk, Joseph S. (1916 - 2009)
Poster: R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Baird, Green, Hellenbrand, Kijak, Long, Penk, Piekarz, Walker

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, May 21, 2009, Online Edition

Penk, Joseph S. (February 6, 1919 - May 21, 2009)

Joseph S. Penk, age 90, lifelong resident of the Town of Roosevelt, Lublin, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

A Christian Burial Mass was held Thursday, May 21, 2009 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin, with Father John Long officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery, with the Abramowicz-Kacmarczyk-Cwikla American Legion Post No. 547 of Lublin and Gilman American Legion Post No. 6186 conducting military graveside rites.

Joe was born February 6, 1919 in the Town of Roosevelt, Taylor County, the son of Martin and Nellie (Piekarz) Penk.

He grew up in the area and at age 14 went to work in the CCC Camps. From 1941 to 1945 he served his country in the United States Army. On December 7, 1941, he was united in marriage to Josephine Kijak in Chicago, Ill., and after serving during World War II, they lived in Chicago, until 1950 when they moved to the Town of Roosevelt where they have lived and farmed until retirement in 1981. Joe also worked at the Stanley Corporation, Presto Industries and later for the Green Thumb.

He was a longtime member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Abramowicz-Kacmarczyk-Cwikla American Legion Post No. 547 of Lublin, of which he was an active member and always enjoyed preparing and cooking chicken for their various functions. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, gambling and playing 50 point rummy.

Joe is survived by four daughters, Joyce Ann (Tony) Hellenbrand of Madison, Janice (Bob) Green of Angus, Minn. and Jacqueline (Bob) Baird and Jean (John) Walker, both of Warren, Minn.; one son, James (Carolyn) Penk of Lublin; plus 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Tony Penk of Thorp. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Josephine in 2002; and brothers and sisters, Della, Chester, Bruno, John and Valeria.

Plombon Funeral Service of Gilman assisted the family with arrangements.