Helen A. (Pawelczak) Gronski

Helen A. Gronski

On Friday, October 27, 2023, our beloved mother broke the chains of life and walked into the Lord’s loving arms and into eternal glory.

Helen Ann Gronski was born on July 5, 1928, to John and Alice (Stopka) Pawelczak in Chicago, Illinois.  At the age of 2, her parents moved to a small farm in Kronenwetter where Helen lived for over 90 years.  Helen attended Lyon School for grades 1-8, and then Mosinee High School.  In 1950, she met the love of her life, Norbert D. Gronski, at the Peplin Church picnic and the two were wed on September 29, 1951. 

Mom was a farm woman through and through.  She helped on the farm starting at a very young age.  As an only child, there was no job on the farm that was off limits and Mom could do anything from caring for sick animals, to plowing fields with work horses, to driving tractors.  Once Mom and Dad married, the farm grew into a larger operation as they worked alongside her parents and with the help of their children.  Even as the farm transitioned from dairy to beef, Mom continued to perform the farm tasks but also created her legendary flower gardens which contained every color of the rainbow.  Each year she would try to grow something new.  Once her parents had passed, the beef cows were sold, and the youngest child left home, Mom entered the world of starting her own business of cleaning houses.  She really enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. 

Mom and Dad were some of the first members of St. Mark Parish in Rothschild. They sent all of their children to St. Mark school.  Mom attended church regularly with the children and her mother.  She was active in the St. Elizabeth Circle in the 1970s and later in the Ladies’ Council of St. Mark.  "As children, we all knew of Mom’s ability to create amazing meals and desserts.  She enjoyed sharing her talent for baking by donating goodies to the bake sales and raffles sponsored by the Ladies’ Council."

Helen is survived by her children:  Rita (Jim) Blarek, Dennis (Mary) Gronski, Carly (Jim) Wendorski, and JoAnn (Russ) Mancl.  She is also survived by her eight grandchildren:  Alicia (Jody) Esker, Ron (Jamie) Wendorski, Tim (Val Wendorski), Mike (Sara) Gronski, Joe (Lana) Gronski, John (Jackie) Wendorski, Kristine (Matt) Kline, and Nolan Mancl (fiancee’ Gabriella Saxon).  Helen had four step grandchildren:  Courtney (Blarek) Larson, Forrest (Sarah) Blarek, Preston (Jarrod) Blarek, and Shannon (Will) Cunnane.  She was Buscia to 12 great grandchildren with the 13th due in December and 8 step great grandchildren.

Besides her parents, Helen was preceded in death by Norbert in 1999, step granddaughter, Courtney, and so many members of her extended family.

We would like to thank Oak Heights, Cedar Creek Manor, and Interim Hospice for all the love and care they provided to Mom.  In particular, we would like to thank Ruth Weisenberger and Wendy Clark.  No matter what facility Mom was at, the family, friends, and neighbors that visited created a revolving door effect.  The visits were numerous.  Thank you all.   We would also like to thank Father Al Slowiak and Father Marion Talaga for providing her final sacraments in both English and Polish.  Dziekuje.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday, November 6, 2023 at St. Mark Parish at 602 Military Road, Rothschild with Father Joseph Albert holding Mass.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m.  A burial service will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association in her memory would be appreciated.  Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com