Full Obituary

     JOSEPH S. GRABOWSKI, age 82, of Thorp, passed away at his home under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice, on Sunday, May 1, 2016.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Friday, May 6, 2016 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, in Thorp.  Rev. Janusz Kowalski will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be:  Michael Slagel, Jack Slagel, Michael Burzynski, Adam Burzynski, Teresa Tieman and Robert Krzyzanowski.  Honorary pallbearer will Sgt. Frederick Slagel.  Visitation will be held at the church, on Friday, from 9am until time of service.
     Joseph Stanley Grabowski was born on March 26, 1934 in Thorp, WI, to Joseph and Stella (Lato) Grabowski.  He was raised on the family farm and received his education at Thorp area schools.  After completing his education, Joe moved to Chicago where he worked as a meat cutter.  He was inducted in to the U.S. Army on April 4, 1955.  He served with the 101st Airborne Division, "Screaming Eagles", as a paratrooper, and was a member of the Army Pistol Team until his honorable discharge on April 3, 1957.  He returned to Thorp and worked for Dus' Feed Mill in addition to farming.  Joe was united in marriage to Anna P. Kurtinaitis at St. Mary of Czestochowa Catholic Church, in Junction, WI, on October 18, 1958.  After their marriage, they moved to Chicago where Joe worked as a milkman delivering milk to restaurants and homes in the Chicago area.  In 1971, they moved to Bruce, WI and purchased the Birchwood Resort on Lake Amacoy.  They sold the resort in 1973, and Joe bought his parent's farm in the Town of Reseburg, where he farmed until retiring in 1995.  Joe then worked part-time during retirement at the Whispering Pines Golf Course in Cadott.
     He had many interests, but especially enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, bowling, tinkering, and attending the Thursday Birthday Club gatherings at Silver Dollar, in Thorp, and later at the Back Forty, in Lublin.
     Joe was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Queen of Peace Council #4634, and the Rock Dam Rod and Gun Club.
     He is survived by his wife, Anna, of Thorp;  5 children:  Rosann (James) Anderson of Ridgeland, WI,  Mathew Grabowski of Thorp,  Douglas Grabowski of Denver, CO,  Jonathan Grabowski of Madison,  Holly Grabowski of Thorp;  10 grandchildren and one great grandson on the way;  4 sisters:  Amelia (Joseph) Janowski of Palatine, IL,  Sr. Rose Grabowski of Stevens Point,  Stella Bushell of Des Plaines, IL,  Patricia Grabowski of Des Plaines, IL;  2 brothers:  Lawrence (Diane) Grabowski of Cameron, WI,  Stephen (Michelle) Grabowski of Coon Valley, WI;  many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
     He was preceded in death by his parents;  3 sisters:  Mary Krzyzanowski, Dorothy Komis and Teresa Grabowski in infancy.