Obit: Kozenka, Josephine Elaine #2 (1929- 2016)

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

Surnames: Kozenka, Rutkowski, Wojt, Cukla, Tomkowiak, Cereby, Kowalski

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 2/17/2016

Kozenka, Josephine Elaine (22 January 1929 - 9 February 2016)

Josephine E. Kozenka, age 87, of Thorp, WI, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at New Horizon Community Care in Thorp. Funeral services were held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Janusz Kowalski officiated and burial followed in Old St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was held at the church, on Tuesday, from 11:00 a.m. until time of service.

Josephine Elaine Wojt was born on January 22, 1929, in Thorp, WI, the daughter of Adam and Stefania (Rutkowski) Wojt. She grew up on the family farm near Thorp, attended area schools and graduated from Thorp High School in 1947.

On August 18, 1945, she was united in marriage to Joseph G. Kozenka at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. After the wedding, they purchased Joe’s family farm and spent the next 24 years farming together and raising their family. They then retired from faming and moved into Thorp. Josephine went to work at the Stanley Hospital as a dietician for one year, and then worked at the Clark County health Care Center as a CNA until retiring in 1987.

She was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its Parish Council of Catholic Women, and also was a member of the Thorp American Legion Auxiliary.

Josephine is survived by her two sons: William (Sue) of Marshfield, WI, Gary (Karen) of Wheeler, WI; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Wanda Cukla of Schaumburg, IL; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe, on October 6, 2012; her son, Robert Kozenka on August 19, 2015; her daughter-in-law, Arlene M. Kozenka on July 13, 2011; six brothers: Joseph, Tony, Edward, Adam, John and Victor Wojt; and three sisters: Harriet Tomkowiak, Rose Wojt and Edna Cereby.

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