ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CEMETERY OBITUARIES



FLORENCE C. PAUL Florence C. Paul, age 82, a resident of Garfield Gardens Apartments, died Monday, July 10, 1995, at her residence. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 13, 1995, at St .Mary’s Catholic Church, Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Roman Zbieranski O.F.M. with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Manitowoc. She was born February 8, 1913, in Manitowoc, daughter of the late John and Agnes Vnuk Glysch. Mrs. Paul was employed at Modern Products of Milwaukee, retiring in 1982, then moving to Manitowoc to reside. She was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Survivors include two sisters and a brother-in-law, Agnes and Hilary Schroeder, Two Rivers, Lucy Luebke, Manitowoc. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, John, Alex and Tony Glysch, and three sisters, Constance Rysticken, Gertrude Tomchek and Lilia Buhk. Friends may call at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 9 a.m. Thursday until the time of service at 10 a.m. There will be no Wednesday evening visitation. The Pfeffer Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Herald Times Reporter, July 11, 1995 P. A2



ANNA PEKULIK Mrs. Anna Pekulik, 85, a lifelong Manitowoc resident, died Thursday morning, December 3, at Holy Family Skilled Nursing Facility, Manitowoc. Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Pfeffer Funeral Home and 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manitowoc. The Rev. Harold Berryman will celebrate the Mass of Resurrection and burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Manitowoc. Mrs. Pekulik, nee Anna Sobiesczyk, was born July 26, 1896, at Manitowoc, daughter of the late Frank and Catherine Powalisz Sobiesczyk. She resided in Manitowoc all her life and was married to Frank Pekulik Oct. 28, 1918, at St. Mary Church, Manitowoc. He preceded her in death April 27, 1976. She was a charter member of Rosary Society of St. Mary Parish. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Ralph and Cora Lee Pekulik and Donald Pekulik of Manitowoc; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Leona and Clarence Schepper of Two River, Sally and Harold Walters and Florence Kraemer of Manitowoc and Mary Ann and Lorin Philipps of Wausaukee; a sister, Mrs. Lawrence (Cecelia) Lambries of Manitowoc; 19 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. A son, Edward, a grandson, Michael Kraemer, three brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. Friends may call at Pfeffer Funeral Home 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. The Rosary Society will recite the Rosary at 3:30 p.m. and a prayer service will be at 7 p.m. by Father Berryman. Herald Times Reporter, December 3, 1981 P. 3 ******** (26 July 1896/Dec. 1981/SSDI)


CHARLES PEKULIK Charles A. Pekulik, 69, of 1109 S. 24th St., Manitowoc, died Thursday morning at Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Pfeffer Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manitowoc. The Rev. Thaddeus J. Koszarek will officate and burial will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Pekulik was born Feb. 16, 1902, at Manitowoc, son of the late Thomas and Veronica Becker Pekulik. He resided in Manitowoc all his life. He had been employed at Wisconsin Malting Co., retiring seven years ago. Survivors include three daughters, four sisters, Miss Nellie Pekulik, Mrs. Michael (Josephine) Stryzewski, Mrs. Victor (Helen) Ratajczak and Mrs. Robert (Cele) Jagodensky of Manitowoc and seven grandchildren. (Survivors edited for privay) A brother, Gordon, preceded him in death. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday where a wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. April 1, 1971


FRANK PEKULIK Frank S. Pekulik, 84, of 1115 S. 24th St., Manitowoc, died Tuesday morning at Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Pfeffer Funeral Home and 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manitowoc. The Rev. Joseph Mattern will officiate with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Manitowoc. Mr. Pekulik was born Jan 26, 1892, at Manitowoc, son of the late Thomas and Veronica Becker Pekulik. He married Anna E. Sobieszczyk Oct. 28, 1918, at S. Mary Church, Manitowoc, celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary in 1975. He had been employed at Mirro Aluminum Co. for 39 years, retiring in 1962. He was a member of St. Mary Holy Name Society. Survivors include his wife, two sons, Donald and Ralph, of Manitowoc; four daughters, Mrs. Clarence (Leona) Schepper, of Two Rivers, Mrs. Harold (Sally) Walters and Mrs. Florence Kraemer, of Manitowoc and Mrs. Peter (Mary Ann) Philipps, of Wausaukee; four sisters, Miss Nellie Pekulik, Mrs. Josephine Stryzewski, Mrs. Helen Ratajczek and Mrs. Celia Jagodinsky, of Manitowoc, 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A son, Edward, five brothers and two sisters preceded him in death. Friends may call at Pfeffer Funeral Home from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, where a prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening. Herald Times Reporter Tuesday, April 27, 1976 pg. 3


JOAN G. PEKULIK First Sergeant Joan G. Pekulik After battling a long illness, First Sergeant Joan “Pinky” Pekulik, 85, passed away peacefully with family by her side, Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Brighton Gardens Senior Living Community in Dunwoody, GA. 1SG Pekulik was born in Manitowoc, WI on May 26, 1930 and lived there through graduation from Lincoln High school. She enlisted in the Women's Army Corps (WACs) in February 1950. She traveled the world serving her country. Her first tour was at Fort Lee, VA as a platoon sergeant. In 1952, as a staff sergeant she went to Heidelberg, Germany where she served as the NCO in the Property Book Office. In 1954, Sergeant First Class Pekulik transferred to Fort Ord, CA. from there she went to Fort McClellan, AL. There she was a physical training and swimming instructor where she once saved a drowning woman’s life. Pekulik had three more tours; two at Fort Meade, MD., and one in Hanau, Germany, before serving six tours in Vietnam as a Master Sergeant. She was assigned to the 34th General Support Group where she was the only woman among 600 men. The 34th Group was responsible for all rotary and fixed wing aircraft in Vietnam. Pekulik was the Supply Division’s Logistics NCO. For her dedication, Pekulik came home from Vietnam with multiple accommodations. Among her honors were; the Bronze Star with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, an Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Unit Citation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Merit Medal and the Legion of Merit, making her one of the Vietnam War’s most decorated WACs. Pekulik’s Vietnam uniform is on display at the Woman’s Army Corps museum at Fort Lee, VA. Pekulik retired from service in the Women’s Army Corps in 1973, after serving one more tour at Fort McClellan as a First Sergeant. She then worked as a civilian at the Fort McClellan supply depot as the property book officer for over 12 years. She was a charter member of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association, Heritage Chapter 62. In her younger years she was an athlete earning trophies in golf, softball, bowling and badminton. Her hobbies included playing cards, casino gambling, fishing, woodworking, creating shell art and coin collecting. Joan loved socializing with all her WAC friends and she was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Atlanta Braves, Crimson Tide and the Packers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theresa Brachmann, and Charles Pekulik, her sister Grace Dizon, and her close friend and companion, Velma “DeGee” De Geronimo. Joan is survived by her sisters Marlene Wiet and Jane Woepse, nephews: Michael Wiet, Kevin Mertz, Dean and Scott Dizon. Nieces: Terese Pantaleo, Mary Hernandez, Susan Foltz, Elizabeth Van Tassel, Cindy Long, and Tami Choplin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Published in The Anniston Star on Dec. 16, 2015


NELLIE PEKULIK Miss Nellie Angela Pekulik of 1109 S. 24th St., Manitowoc, died Wednesday evening, March 2, at Manitowoc Health Care Center. Funeral Services will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Pfeffer Funeral Home and 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manitowoc. The Rev. Harold Berryman will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial and burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Miss Pekulik was born in Manitowoc, daughter of the late Thomas and Veronica Becker Pekulik. She was owner of the former Pekulik Grocery Store, Manitowoc, which she operated many years, retiring in 1959. Survivors include two sisters and a brother-in-law, Cecelia and Bob Jagodensky and Mrs. Helen Ratajczak of Manitowoc and nieces and nephews. Six brothers, Edwin, Theodore, Alexander, Charles, Frank and Gordon and two sisters, Valeria Pekulik and Josephine Strzyzewski preceded her in death. Friends may call at Pfeffer Funeral Home 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Herald Times Reporter, March 3, 1983 P. 3 ******** (29 Mar. 1893/Mar. 1983/SSDI)



JOHN PIEKARSKI John Piekarski, 84, who made his home in recent months at the Shady Lane Home, Manitowoc, died in his sleep early Saturday morning. Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Mittnacht Funeral Home, Manitowoc and at 9 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manitowoc. The Rev. John Landowski will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery. He was born Nov. 22, 1870 in Poland and when a young man, served as a sergeant in the Polish army. He came to Chicago in 1891 and in 1896 married Miss Mary Bonin. He learned the harness makers trade. In 1903 the couple moved to Manitowoc and he was employed at the Plantico harness shop and later by the Schuette Construction Co. He retired in 1915 and later operated a shoe repair shop in his home. His wife died last December. Surviving are two daughters Mrs. Ward Valentine and Mrs. Martin Kvitek of Manitowoc; two sons, Harry of Rt. 5, Manitowoc, John Jr. of Rt. 3, Manitowoc; brother, Max of St. Paul; two sisters, Mrs. Bernice Hulls of St. Paul, Mrs. Stella Muryk of Cambridge, Minn.; 13 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Sunday where the Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. by the Holy Name Society, of which he was a member. Manitowoc Herald Times Saturday, August 27, 1955 pg. M-11


MARY PIEKARSKI Mrs. John Piekarski, 78, of 1011 S. 16th St., Manitowoc, died Thursday afternoon at Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc, following an illness of nine weeks. Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Mittnacht Funeral Home, Manitowoc, and at 9 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manitowoc, the Rev. John Landowski officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mrs. Piekarski,, nee Mary Bonin, was born in Manitowoc, Feb. 15, 1876, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Francis Bonin. When she was a young girl the family moved to Northeim and in 1892 she went to Chicago where she was employed as a seamstress. In 1898 she was married to John Piekarski at Chicago, where the couple made its home until 1903 when they came to Manitowoc. They resided at 912 S. 25th St., until several months ago. The couple since has resided with a daughter, Mrs. Martin Kvitek. She was a member of the Rosary Society of St. Mary Church. She is survived by the husband, two daughters, Mrs. Ward Valentine and Mrs. Martin Kvitek of Manitowoc; two sons, Harry of Rt. 5, Manitowoc, and John of Rt. 3, Manitowoc; two brothers, Joseph Bonin of Athens, Wis., and Anton Bonin of Manitowoc; a sister, Miss Anna Bonin of Manitowoc; 13 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Sunday. The Rosary will be recited at 2:15 p.m. Sunday by St. Mary Rosary Society and at 7 p.m. by the parishioners of the church. Manitowoc Herald Times Friday, December 17, 1954 pg. T-9


ANNA POWALISZ Mrs. Anna Powalicz, 79, died early Saturday of a lingering illness at the home of a son, Francis at 1225 S. 11th St., Manitowoc, where she had been residing. Funeral services will be at 8:30 am Tuesday at the Leschke-Bergner Funeral Home, Manitowoc and at 9 am at the St. Mary Catholic Church, the Rev. John Landowski officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. She was born on Feb. 26, 1878 in Manitowoc, the daughter of the late Jacob and Harriet Zagrodnik. On Feb. 22, 1897 she was married to Frank Powalicz in Manitowoc and the couple resided here ever since. Her husband preceded her in death. She was a member of the Rosary Society of St. Mary Church. Survivors include two sons, Victor and Francis of Manitowoc and two grandchildren. Friends may call at the funeral home after 1:30 pm Monday where the Rosary will be recited at 1:30 pm Monday by the Rosary Society and at 7 pm by the congregation. Manitowoc Herald Times - Saturday, Jan. 5, 1957



FRANK POWALISZ Frank Powalisz To Be Buried Monday Morning Frank Powlisz, 66, 1225 South 18th street, passed away Thursday afternoon at 4:30. Funeral services will be held from the home Monday morning at 8:30 and at 9 o'clock from the St. Mary's church. Burial will be made at the St. Mary's cemetery. The deceased was born Nov. 20, 1867 in Poland. He came to Manitowoc 45 years ago. In 1897 he was married to Anna Zagrodnik of this city who survives him. He has been in the employe of the Aluminum Goods company for the past 20 years. Survivors include his widow; two sons, Victor and Francis of this city; two brothers, John of Poland and Joseph of Milwaukee; three sisters, Mrs. Joseph Mrotek, Mrs. Mary Derla, and Mrs. Katherine Sobieszczyk, all of Manitowoc. The body will be taken to the home today at 5:30 p.m. from the Shimek and Schwartz funeral home. Manitowoc Herald Times, Wis., Friday, June 29, 1934 pg. 15


BERNARD RATHSACK Death Fri. of a son of Richmond Street resident Joseph Rathsack of convulsions. The burial took place Mon. Der Nord Westen, 17 May 1900 ******** Bernard, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Ratsack, residing on Richmond street, died this morning of convulsions. The funeral will take place Monday. Manitowoc Daily Herald, Friday, May 11, 1900, Page 1 ****** (Note: Joseph and Maggie lived on Richmond street on the 1900 census..surname misspelled as Radsack. Joseph Ratsack on city directory on Richmond street/no Maggie. This would be their son) ******* Name Bernard Ratsack Gender Male Death Date 11 May 1900 Death Place Manitowoc, Manitowoc Co., Wisconsin Age 0 Birth Date 28 Apr 1900 Race White Father's Name Joseph Ratsack Father's Birthplace Poland Mother's Name Maggie Mother's Birthplace Wis. Wisconsin Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968 ********* Name Bernard Ratsack Event Type Death Event Date 1900 Event Place Manitowoc County, Wisconsin Residence Place Manitowoc, Gender Male Age 0 Race W Birth Date 28 Apr 1900 Birth Year (Estimated) 1900 Birthplace Wis. Cemetery Polish Cemetery Father's Name Joseph Ratsack Father's Birthplace Poland Mother's Name Maggie Ratsack Mother's Birthplace Wis. Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907 *Note: He was place here because record indicates he is buried here.


JAN RICHTER John Richter, the Polish laborer who was injured in excavating the hill near the First Ward School house, died. He was buried last Thursday. He leaves a wife and seven children. Manitowoc Lakeshore Times - May 17, 1887 - page 3 ******** Items From The Pilot Files - Twenty-Five Years Ago (1887) John Richter, a resident of the third ward of this city, received injuries on Saturday last which are likely to prove fatal. He was, with many others at work in grading down the hill where Mr. Wagner is about to put up his new house. There were large beer vaults there of solid masonry and the workmen had to break the arch and take the stones out. A large stone fell on Richter breaking his left collarbone and three ribs. He also received some injuries in the head. The broken ribs have been driven into his lungs so as to make his death probable. He is a man of a large family. Manitowoc Pilot Thursday, May 9, 1912 pg. 1


MAGDELENA RICHTER MRS. MERANDA PASSES AWAY 84 Year Old Woman Dies In Milwaukee Mrs. Maggie Richter Meranda, 84, passed away Sunday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Martin Remmel, Milwaukee, with whom she had been visiting the past ten days. Born in Germany in 1851, Mrs. Meranda came to America in 1881 and has made her home in Manitowoc since then. Mr. Meranda passed away two years ago. She has been making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Smugler, of this city since her husband's death. She was a member of the St. Mary's Holy Rosary society and was unusually active for a woman of her age. She was one of the oldest people in the city to cast a vote at the last election. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Frank Smugler of Manitowoc and Mrs. Martin Remmel of Milwaukee, two sons, Frank Richter of Manitowoc and Bruno Richter of Milwaukee, 20 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. One of her grandchildren, Raymond Smugler, has returned from the lower lakes where he has been working on the U. S. General Meade of the United States Engineering Department to attend the funeral. The body will be taken to the Smugler home, 1114 South 20th street from the Shimek and Schwartz funeral home this afternoon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 8:30 from the home and at 9 o'clock from the St. Mary's church. Burial will be in the St. Mary's cemetery. Manitowoc Herald Times Monday, November 11, 1935. ********** Meranda, Mrs. Maggie Richter---Aged 84. Died at home of her daughter, Mrs. Martin Remmel, Milwaukee Sunday. Born in Germany in 1851. Lived in Manitowoc past 54 years. Made home with daughter, Mrs. Frank Smugler, 1114 South 20th street. Funeral services Wednesday at 8:30 from home here and at 9 a. m. from St. Mary's church. Burial in St. Mary's cemetery. Body at home Monday from Shimek and Schwartz funeral parlors. Survived by two daughters, 2 sons, 20 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Manitowoc Herald Times Tuesday, November 12, 1935.


CONSTANCE RYSTICKEN Constance J. Rysticken, age 99, a Park Lawn Home resident, died Friday, September 2, 1994, at Park Lawn Home. Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 6, 1994, at the Pfeffer Funeral Home and 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Roman Zbieranski O.F.M. with burial to follow at St. Mary's Church cemetery. She was born October 21, 1894, in Manitowoc, daughter of the late John and Agnes Vnuk Glysch. She married Peter Rysticken June 28, 1915, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. He preceded her in death April 30, 1977. Constance was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Survivors include two sons and daughter-in-law, Clarence Rysticken, Two Rivers, Robert and Elaine Rysticken, Manitowoc; two daughters and one son-in-law, Julia Bonk, Manitowoc, Mary Lou and Vernon Manthay, South Bend, Ind.; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lorraine (Daniel) Rysticken, Manitowoc; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Agnes and Hilary Schroeder, Two Rivers, Florence Paul and Lucille Luebke, both of Manitowoc; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends also survive. Friends may call at the Pfeffer Funeral Home from 8:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services. There will be no Monday evening visitation. Herald Times Reporter, September 2, 1994 P. A2 ******** (21 Oct. 1894/2 Sept. 1994/SSDI)



PETER RYSTICKEN Peter P. Rysticken, 83, of 2212 Washington St., Manitowoc died Saturday morning at the residence. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Pfeffer Funeral Home and 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manitowoc. The Rev. Harold Berryman will officiate with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Manitowoc. Mr. Rysticken was born Jan. 8, 1894, at Manitowoc, son of the late Frank and Anna Dricta Rysticken. He married Constance Glysch June 28, 1915, at St. Mary Church. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1975. Mr. Rysticken had been employed at Mirro Aluminum Co. for 50 years, retiring in 1968 as a foreman. He was a past consultor of St. Mary Church. Survivors include his wife, three sons, Daniel and Robert, of Manitowoc and Clarence, of Two Rivers; two daughters, Mrs. Sylvester (Julia) Bonk, of Manitowoc and Mrs. Vernon (Mary Lou) Manthay, of South Bend, Ind., and nine grandchildren. Seven brothers and five sisters preceded him in death. Friends may call at Pfeffer Funeral Home from 4 to 9 o’clock this Monday evening where a prayer service will be at 8 o'clock. Herald Times Reporter Monday, May 2, 1977 pg. 3