Full Obituary

     Dennis LeRoy Mnichowicz, age 79 of Thorp, WI passed away in the presence of his family in his home on February 25, 2024. Dennis LeRoy Mnichowicz was born July 1, 1944, in the township of Maplehurst, Lublin, WI to the late Anton of Poland, and Anna (Pawlik) of Ukraine Mnichowicz. He was raised on the family farm and attended area schools, graduating from Owen-Withee High School in 1962.
     After graduating from high school Dennis worked on the family farm and at Owen Dairy. He moved to Chicago, IL for a short amount of time where he lived with his aunt and worked at Allied Electronics. Because of his dissatisfaction with life in the big city, he returned to Lublin, WI to work again on the family farm. Dennis was later employed at R-Way Furniture in Sheboygan and once again he returned to the family farm as the farm life was calling to him.
     Dennis’ neighbor encouraged him to apply to Taylor County Teachers College (TCTC) in Medford, WI with her to study education. Dennis graduated from TCTC with a certificate in Elementary Education. He was certified to teach kindergarten through 8^th grade. He was employed by the Stanley Boyd Area Schools where he taught 6^th grade at Boyd Elementary School for nine years. While he taught school, he continued his education at Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, WI where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Social Studies. He also completed various courses through UW Stevens Point that were also offered in Medford at Taylor County Teachers College.
     Dennis always wanted to own his own farm. He enjoyed life in the country, and he wanted to have the freedom of being his own boss. In 1973 he purchased a small farm outside of Lublin, WI where he worked the land and continued to teach at Boyd Elementary School.
     On August 18, 1973, Dennis was united in marriage to Ruth Voigtlander at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin, WI. Dennis later sold the first farm that he purchased in Lublin and bought the current farm outside of Thorp, WI. Dennis farmed for many years up until 2010 when he sold his cattle and retired. He always joked that he had a “Ph D. in farming”, and he said that he did what he always wanted to do with his life.
     Dennis had a wide variety of interests and hobbies. He loved to read, and he accumulated many books throughout his life that he shared with others. He also donated money to the Thorp Public Library on a yearly basis for many years. Dennis also enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, playing chess, bee keeping, gardening, collecting and making knives, rock collecting, polishing rocks, ham radio, and spending time with his family and loyal dog Benny the Border Collie and his favorite cat, Gabby.
     Dennis loved to joke around. His sense of humor was unique to those who knew him.
     Dennis will be missed everyday by his daughters whom he encouraged throughout their lives to study and to reach for their goals. He will also be missed by his two granddaughters who he would ask, “What did you learn in school today?” and when they would say not much, he would say, “That’s why you have to go back tomorrow.”
     Dennis is survived by his former spouse Ruth of Thorp, WI; three daughters: Kimberly Mnichowicz of Milwaukee, WI, Mary Mnichowicz of Chicago, IL, and Carolyn Mnichowicz of Menomonie, WI, two granddaughters Sophia and Mia Mnichowicz also of Menomonie, WI; two brothers: James (Anita) Mnichowicz of Gilman and Tony Mnichowicz of Gilman, sisters- in-law: Theresa Mnichowicz of Roselle, IL and Georgette Vandenberg of Mercer, WI; nieces: Heidi (Ryan) Ashbeck of Greenwood, WI, Cherie Fuchs of Roselle, IL, and  Karen Mnichowicz of Roselle, IL; and nephew: Carl Vandenberg (Lori) of Ironwood, Michigan.
     He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Antoinette (Louis Kobylarczyk), his brother Leon, and three siblings that passed away in infancy, Jeanette, Gabriel, and Joseph. He was also preceded in death by his nephew Matthew Vandenburg of Mercer, WI.
     The Family would like to thank Mayo Clinic Health System La Crosse, ICU nurses and doctors as well as St. Croix Hospice who gave exceptional care during his last moments at the farm.