Full Obituary

    BERNARD S. "BEN" POTACZEK, age 86, of Stanley, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 6, 2018 at Oakbrook Heath & Rehab, in Thorp, with his family by his side.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp.  Rev. Janusz Kowalski will officiate and burial will follow in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be: Ben Potaczek, Bill Potaczek, Larry Romanowski, Adam Potaczek, Dustin Romanowski, Brian Romanowski, Trevor Patnaude and Nolan Patnaude. Honorary Pallbearers are Jennifer Pawlak, Jody Makovec, Jill Lukes, Crystal Romanowski, Cora Wehling, Carlene Douglas, Cathy Potaczek, Cindy Hegenson, Carissa Potaczek, and Sarah Romanowski.  Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 5pm to 8pm, and again at the church, on Thursday, from 9:30am until time of service.
    Bernard Stanley Potaczek was born on August 20, 1931 in Stanley, WI, to Sebastian and Mary Waligura Potaczek.  He was raised on the family farm and received his education at the Junction school.  Ben was united in marriage to Dorothy R. Seichter on September 16, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Boyd.  They took over the operation of his parents’ home farm, where they raised their family and farmed until retiring.
    He is a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp; a former member of St. Mary of Czestochowa Catholic Church in Junction, where he was instrumental in the construction of the church and was the bingo caller for many years at the church's annual festival; and previously served as the town constable for the Thorp Township.
    Ben had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family, family gatherings, playing tricks on his grandchildren, hunting, fishing, building and fixing things, and tinkering.
    He will be dearly missed by his wife of 63 years Dorothy, of Stanley; 5 children:  David (Karen) of Stanley, Beverly (Larry) Romanowski of Stanley, Ronald (Patty) of Thorp, Barbara Romanowski of Gilman, Betty Potazek of Alpharetta, GA; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters:  Bernice Symbal of Stanley, Theresa (Leonard) Dombrowski of Thorp; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law: Dan Romanowski; one sister:  Irene Kratochvil; and 6 brothers:  Joe, Steve, Sylvester, Henry, Alois and Julius Potaczek. His family is grateful for the love and joy he shared, and the example of how to live a life well-lived.