Alfred Buddy Joswiak

Alfred L. "Buddy" Joswiak, 92, Marathon, died December 18, 2017 at Copperleaf Assisted Living of Marathon under the care of Ministry Home Care and Hospice. He was born April 10, 1925 in the Town of Cassel to the late Anton F. and Agnes (Jagodzinski) Joswiak. On October 28, 1950 he married Genevieve Kamenick at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. She survives. Soon after he was born, he was given his nickname, "Buddy", by his uncle, Frank Joswiak, Many of his friends and acquaintances knew him only as "Buddy". After graduating from Edgar High School in 1943, Alfred enlisted in the United States Navy and was trained as an electrician's mate. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he boarded a troop ship in New York, heading for Europe. By June 28, he was on Omaha Beach in France where, for the next month, he was part of Navy salvage operations. Alfred spent most of the war in Europe repairing landing craft at a base in Salcombe, England. He did return to France for a few weeks in October 1944 to help repair port facilities in Cherbourg and Le Harve. After V-E Day, Alfred returned to the U.S. where he served on the U.S.S. Saipan, a light carrier, based in Philadelphia. He was honorably discharged on May 18, 1946, having attained the rank of petty officer 2nd class (E-5). A proud veteran, Alfred was in his 70th year of membership in American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post #469 in Marathon and was a charter member VFW Memorial Post #10187 in Edgar. He served as Commander of both posts on several different occasions and served in many other offices. Alfred was the Post Chaplain for the VFW at the time of his death. He enjoyed speaking of his service at Veterans Day programs at Edgar and Marathon schools. Alfred visited the memorials in Washington, D.C. on Never Forgotten Honor Flight #1 on April 27, 2010. He and Genevieve were the owners/operators of a grocery store and meat processing plant, Country Home Locker, in the Town of Cassel. Alfred was a master sausage maker. He continued to make sausage for friends and old customers for years after formally closing the business. In his later years he continued to mix and sell his sausage seasonings (a family secret). After closing Country Home Locker, Alfred worked at Marathon Electric until his retirement. Alfred was involved in a variety of civic organizations and generously volunteered his time to serve his community and his church. A lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cassel, Alfred was a past president of the parish council, and served on the Wausau Deanery and La Crosse Diocesan Councils. At Sunday mass, he often served as lector or Eucharistic minister. He was a 3rd degree member of Knights of Columbus Council #1069 in Wausau for nearly 60 years. Alfred also was the "grill master" for many parish chicken dinners. Over the years, he was elected and served as a member of the Edgar Board of Education and the Marathon County Board and as Cassel Town Treasurer. Alfred was past president of the Edgar Lions Club for whom he volunteered as an eye tissue transplant transporter for 33 years. For his service as a Lion Alfred was recognized as a Knight of Sight and received the Melvin Jones Fellow award for humanitarian service by Lions International in 1999. In recognition of his community service, Alfred was named Edgar Area Citizen of the Year by the Edgar Jaycees in 1994 and was elected to the Edgar High School Hall of Fame in 2000. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, attending as many of his children's and grandchildren's school events as he could and setting a great example for his family. Survivors include his wife, Genevieve, Marathon; six children, David (Catherine) Joswiak, Wausau, Steven (Donna) Joswiak, Wasilla, AK, Joan (Dean) Bluske, Onalaska, Russell (Lisa) Joswiak, Chatham, IL, Andrew (Andrea) Joswiak, Village of Maine, Peter (Jill) Joswiak, Madison; daughter-in-law, Sheila Joswiak, Weston; 15 grandchildren, Nicole (Chris Daniels) Joswiak, Stephannie (Nathan) Parris, Nathan (Catherine) Joswiak, Alyce Heinzen, Anna (Chris) Long, Sam (fiancAC., Kristina) Joswiak, Charles Joswiak, Jennifer (Darren) Bluske-Fortney, Anthony (special friend, Mindy) Bluske, Ryan Bluske, Amelia (fiancAC., Mitchell) Joswiak, Wyatt Joswiak, Kevin Joswiak, Kyle Joswiak, Helen Joswiak; step grandchild, Chantell (Robert) Cook-Morgan; 11 great-grandchildren, Owen and Marcus Oviedo, Jonathan, Lillian and Elliot Parris, Juniper and Linden Joswiak, Liam Heinzen, Benjamin Long, Evan and Anna Krull; 6 step great-grandchildren, Bella Long, Ryan and Lauren Fortney, Jenna, Kendra and Emma Morgan; two brothers, John (Ruth) Joswiak, Minocqua, and Raymond (Alvina) Joswiak, Edgar. Besides his parents, Alfred was preceded in death by one son, Michael, sister, Rose Ann Bantes and three grandchildren, Benjamin, Cody and Alivia Joswiak. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel. Rev. Felix Tigoy and the Rev. Robert Streveler will preside. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 pm to 7 pm on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Marathon Funeral Home. The family would especially like to thank Uncle Ray Joswiak and Uncle Wilbert Bantes for the many rides and much comradery they provided Dad during his last years. We also want to thank the staff of Ministry Home Care and Hospice and Heather and her staff at Copperleaf Assisted Living for their compassion and care. Memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony Spirituality Center, Marathon. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com