Josephine Czechowicz Lawryk

Josephine Czechowicz Lawryk passed away Monday January 31st of congestive heart failure at Wellington Assisted Living in Rib Mountain just shy of her 90th birthday. She was the eldest daughter born to Edward and Anna (Hebda) Ciukaj on February 5th 1921 She walked many miles to the country school in Rockyridge each school day. After school she worked on the family farm until she married Theodore Czechowicz on May 29th 1943 in St Paul's Catholic Church in Mosinee. Theodore preceded her in death on March 31, 1979. She later married Sam Lawryk on August 16th 1986 in Holy Name Parish. They enjoyed many church picnics and dances together until Sam died on July 26th, 2001. She moved from the farm in Rockyridge to the family home on 11th Ave in 1948 and lived their until 2007. She was an avid gardener with her garden taking up most of the yard. She canned and preserved most of the family food for the year. She also enjoyed harvesting in the woods of farmer friends when berries and mushrooms were ripe. She and her Mom enjoyed making sausage and curing hams in fall when farmers were butchering their hogs. In the evenings she liked to crochet making bedspreads, pillowcase edgings, dollies, afghans and pot-holders. Later she worked at the Marathon Battery and various other jobs. She was a member of Holy Name Parish and Saint Catherine's Council since 1948 Josephine was a testament to the development of the sulpha drugs which helped cure the tuberculosis she acquired in the early 1950's allowing her a long life of almost 90 years. Survivors include her only daughter and son-in-law Theresa and Arnold Geiger of Anchorage, Alaska. One grandson Richard Geiger and his wife Kathy Robinson and their daughter, a great-granddaughter Gwyneth Geiger of Anchorage, Alaska. She is also survived by her sister Bernice Kindt of Merritt Island Florida. A sister Mary preceded her in death many years ago. The Florida nephew and nieces are: Mertis Kindt Jr. (Sharon Foor), Debra Hogan, Linda New (Ken), their daughter Lindsey, Holly Walsh (Roger Ford) and her son Ryan (Tiffani). The Lawryk family includes: Step-son John Lawryk (Holly) of Oshkosk, Step-grandson Benjamin Lawryk of Milwaukee. Step-daughter Anna (Alfred) Wierzba of Plover. Step-grandchildren: Heidi Zoromski (Tim) Amherst, step-great-grandchildren Travis (deceased), Tyler and Tanner. Tony Wierzba (Stephanie) of Plover, step-great-grandchildren Nathan, Alyssa and Zachary. Christopher (Lori) Wierzba of DePere Step-great-grandchildren Cole, and Logan. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday February 12, 2011 at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Wausau. Rev. Gerald Pehler OFM Cap. will preside. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee. Friends may call on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com