Aloise Sowinski 1918-2007

Last night, my dad called to tell me that my Grandpa Al died last night, May 24th, 2007. He was 89 years old. His funeral will be on Tuesday, one day before my grandparents' 65th wedding anniversary. Amelia and I will be flying to Wisconsin on Sunday, and staying until Thursday. As far as grandfathers go, he was the best, and I still can't believe I won't see him again. I love you, Grandpa!

Aloise "Al" Sowinski, 89, Rothschild, died Thursday, May 24, 2007, at his home. Al was born April 8, 1918, the son of the late Paul and Agnes (Skarwecki) Sowinski. He married Betty Duggan in Hollywood, CA., on May 30, 1942. Al volunteered for the draft in 1940 being the first from Marathon County. He spent five years in the service, thirty eight months in New Caledonia and Guadalcanal in the 52nd Ammo. Ord. supplying ammunition in the South Pacific. His rank was T. Sargent. Returning to the United States, Al became an apprentice bricklayer with Hoffman Construction Co., later working for Wergin Construction retiring after more than 30 years as a mason foreman and served as president of the Local Bricklayers Union. One of his work projects were the St. Therese school and church, where he is a member serving on the building and grounds committee, an active usher, and lay minister for masses and funerals. Al was a life member of Knights of Columbus Council #4628 serving as program chairman and a Grand Knight, he volunteered as a Packar assisting Father Lynch. During his free time he enjoyed fishing and golfing with his brother Alvin, playing softball, or dartball with St. Therese. Survivors include his wife, Betty, at home; three daughters, Marcia Spacher, Linda (Jack) Schade, and Sally (Tom) Driscoll; one son, Paul (Virginia) Sowinski; six grandchildren, James (Michele) Driscoll, Erin (Austin) Henderson, Dana (Jeff) Jones, Dan (Diana) Spacher, Alex and Rachel Sowinski; nine great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews; two sister in-laws, Theresa Sowinski and Sally Tramitz. Al is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Agnes, two brothers, Alvin and Chester Sowinski, and two sisters, Stella Kopliz and Angeline Zieglmeier. A Funeral Mass will be at Noon Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschld. Father Robert Strevler will officiate. Burial will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Kronenwetter. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday with a Knights of Columbus prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Hayden-Buettgen Funeral Home, Schofield and will continue at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.