Ernest A. Stankowski

Ernest “Ernie” A. Stankowski, 91, Marathon, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

He was born February 26, 1930 in Galloway, WI, son of the late Frank and Julia (Goszkowicz) Stankowski.  On June 30, 1951, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Osterbrink.  She preceded him in death on December 16, 2017.  Together, Ernie and Mary raised twelve children on a dairy farm in the town of Emmet, and operated ginseng gardens in the surrounding community.

Ernie worked for the Mosinee Paper Mill until his retirement and was Union President for many years.  He was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus.

Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed playing his concertina and harmonica for his grandchildren, playing sheepshead with family and friends and listening to polka music.  He was an avid fisherman and loved to go hunting.  In his younger years, their family home was destroyed in a house fire and Ernie proudly built their new home.  He was a very talented craftsman.

He is survived by eleven children, Diane Jensen, Golden, CO; Frank (Tina), Weston; Raymond (Sharon), Wausau; Joe (Karen), Amherst; Gene (Cindy), Schofield; Linda Lepak, Weston; Ernest, Wausau; Roger (Mary), Marathon; Randy (Melody), Wausau; Christine "Tina" (Rick) Lang, Wausau; Jeff (Jeanette), Marathon; three daughters-in-law, Wanda Stankowski, Wausau, Donna Stankowski, Aniwa and Pam Stankowski, Wausau; one son-in-law, Ron Lepak, Wausau; 28 grandchildren; Brian (Jana) Jensen, Kristin Jensen, Jackie (Dan) Kluever, Justin Stankowski, Jennifer (Nick) Rabchenia, Matthew (Jillian) Stankowski, Tamera (Eric) Chernohorsky, Tanya (Mark) Wilde, Adam (Lori) Stankowski, Alexi (Megan) Stankowski, Tim Trantow, Dominic Stankowski, Amber (Eric) Lokemoen, Nicole and Miranda Price, Zachary Stankowski, Brianna (Chad) Borman, Mitchell (Julie) Stankowski, Sean Stankowski, Jacob (Mandi) Stankowski, Christopher and Steven Stankowski, Krystal (Matthew) Prinsen, Kaitlyn and Kyle Lang, Jeff (Jo) Railsback, Cody (Monica) Stankowski and Dylan (Star) Stankowski; many great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Edwin Stankowski, Mosinee, Dominic Stankowski, Weston, Evelyn Nowak, Edgar and Virginia Falkowski, Stevens Point.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; son, Ronald Stankowski; son-in-law, Roger Jensen; grandsons, Jeremy and James Stankowski; and eight siblings.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Halder.  Rev. Joseph Nakwah and Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will co-celebrate.  Burial will be in the parish cemetery.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again on Sunday from Noon until time of services at the church.  There will be a rosary service Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Rennes Health and Rehab for providing a “home away from home” for over five years. Also,  a special thanks to Aspirus Palliative Care and Hospice services for their compassionate support.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com