Obit: Nowak, Bernice L. (1920 - 2013)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bandur, Czerwinski, Gilbertson, Gosselin, Hudak, Klisiewicz, Lis, Mudgett, Nowak, Wincek

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 06/20/2013

Nowak, Bernice L. (Lis) (15 JUN 1920 - 16 JUN 2013)

Bernice L. Nowak, age 93, longtime Lublin resident, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2013 at Oakbrook Health and Rehab Center in Thorp, one day after her 93rd birthday.

The former Bernice Lis was the first born to the late Sophie (Czerwinski) and Bruno Lis on June 15, 1920 in Lublin. She grew up in Lublin and later moved to Chicago, Ill., during the Depression, sending money back to her parents to help the family out. She came back home and at a dance met Felix Nowak. He then sent her a letter of proposal, she accepted and he went to Chicago and they were wed on September 9, 1941. Their honeymoon consisted of moving in with the in-laws, Joseph and Stella Nowak, and chopping corn on the Nowak family farm, but life was good. Soon, three generations lived under one roof. Bernice was a hardworking farm wife and mother, until Felix's untimely death in 1971.

In retirement, she truly enjoyed her grandchildren, reading, fishing with her brothers, polka dancing, crocheting everything without ever reading a pattern, and canning. She was Lublin's village clerk for 22 years until losing her vision in 1997, but always loved her Lublin. Anyone who knew her can remember her sitting in her comfy chair by the window in the kitchen having a cup of coffee, a smoke and a good piece of chocolate with her red fingernails and red lipstick. She was a lovable, strong willed, feisty Polish woman who loved life and will be greatly missed by many.

Bernice is survived by her two daughters, Geraldine Nowak of Thorp and Christine (Joseph Wincek) Nowak of Jump River; three grandchildren, Cherish of Eau Claire, J.J. (Mackenzie) of St. Paul, Minn., and Jodi (Mark Gosselin) of Seattle, Wash.; four great-grandchildren, Jake Gilbertson, Isabella and Gavin Mudgett and Roo Gosselin; siblings, Stanley (Mary) Lis of Lublin, Helen Hudak of Eau Claire, Sophie Bandur of Stanley, Alois Lis of Rhinelander, and Tony (Carol) Lis of Stanley; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Lis of Lake Hallie and Bana Lis of Stanley; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Joseph, Frank, Edward and Bruno Jr. Lis; sister, Stella Klisiewicz; brothers-in-law, Louis Bandur, Pete Hudak and Joe Klisiewicz; and sisters-in-law, Letty and Dolly Lis.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Polish National Catholic Church in Lublin. A graveside service will follow with burial in the parish cemetery. Plombon Funeral Service assisted the family with arrangements.