Obit: Panek, Estelle J. (1911 - 2009)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org  

Surnames: Panek, Brzezinski, Koscielski, Forrester, Rosengren, Revoy, Bilderback, Ciokiewicz, Willobee, Meyers, Peterson, Goodrode, Oelberg Stuesser, Kosse, Polnaszek, Manick, Prieve, Liss, Pawlak

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) February 18, 2009

Panek, Estelle J. (27 April 1911 - 7 February 2009)

Estelle J. Panek, age 97, formerly of Thorp, passes away peacefully Saturday, February 7. 2009, under Hospice Care, at Hartland Nursing Home in Zephyrhills, Florida.

Estelle was born in Thorp, WI, on April 27, 1911, to Felix and Josephine (Brzezinski) Koscielski. Estelle married Joseph Panek Sept. 4, 1933 in Thorp. They owned and operated "Panek’s Tavern" in Chicago, IL until 1947 when they bought a dairy farm two miles east of Thorp, where they farmed until 1971. They then retired to the Town of Thorp. Estelle moved to Zephyrhills, FL in 2000, where she lived with her daughter JoAnne and Dale Revoy.

Estelle is survived by five children: LaVerne (Chet) Forrester f South Haven, MI, Daniel Panek, Diane (Ron) Rosengren, JoAnne (Dale) Revoy all of Zephyrhills, FL, and Debby Bilderback of River Falls, WI; two grandsons: Jim (Kim) Forrester and Sean Forrester; five granddaughters: Karen (Randy) Ciokiewicz, Lisa Willobee, Estelle (Tom) Meyers, Mary Revoy, and Amy Peterson; one great-grandson, Michael Ciokiewicz; four great-granddaughters: Shelby Meyers, Katlyn Goodrode, Paige and Olivia Peterson; one great-great-grandson, Seth Ciokiewicz; plus many nieces, nephews, and two sisters-in-law: Marge Oelberg and Tosh Stuesser, and very good friend. Doc. Stuesser.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Panek, in May of 1988; two brothers: Ed (Mumsie) (Dorothy) Kosse and Joe (Flo) Koscielski; six sisters: Evelyn (Peter) Polnaszek, Anne (Henry) Manick, Charlotte (Randal) Prieve, Laura (Chester) Liss, Helen (Stephen) Pawlak and Harriet Koscielski.

Estelle was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig parish, and, in her younger years active with the Altar Society. She was active with the Thorp Senior Center, served as president, secretary, worked bingo, enjoyed many good meals there and played cards on Thursday at the center with her good friends. Estelle loved going to the Dairy Bar for afternoon coffee with her "lady friends" and also played a lot of cards throughout her life. She was an avid gardener, an excellent cook, and an inspiration to many with her hard work ethics, generosity and sense of humor.

A memorial service will be held in Thorp, WI this summer.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Gulfside Regional Hospice Inc. 37826 Sky Ridge Circle, Dade City FL 33525 in Estelle’s name.

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