RICHARD J. "RICH" SZYMANSKI, age 90, of Thorp, WI, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp.  Rev. Stanley Michael Antony will officiate, and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.

     Richard Joseph Szymanski was born on February 14, 1934 on the home farm north of Thorp in the Town of Withee, to John and Louise (Dobrzynski) Szymanski.  He was raised on the farm and received his education in the Thorp area, graduating from Thorp High School in 1952.  After high school, Rich worked on the family farm for a year before enlisting into the U.S. Army in October of 1954.  He did his Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, before his marriage to Elaine E. Cook on August 16, 1955 at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp.  They moved to Fort Knox, KY where he was stationed in the military, and returned to Thorp following his honorable discharge in October of 1956.  He spent one year working for Doc Stuesser, then he and Elaine bought a farm southeast of Thorp on October 1, 1957 where they raised their family of 8 children.  They retired in 1997, at which time their son, Mike, took over the family farm.  They moved into Thorp where they built a home, and have resided there since.  After retiring, Rich served on the Thorp City Council and drove school bus.

     He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family, traveling, and spending some of the winter in Arizona.

     Rich was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, Thorp American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus.

     He is survived by his children: Cindy (Jim) Alger of Thorp, Pam Szymanski of Sparta, WI, Rick (Margie) Szymanski of Loyal, WI, Mike (Brenda) Szymanski of Greenwood, WI, Bob (Dawn) Szymanski of Eau Claire, WI, Holly (John) Noah of Thorp, and John (Sherrie) Szymanski of Thorp; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother: Jerry (Rosemary) Szymanski of West Salem, WI; three sisters-in-law: Marjorie Izydorek of Thorp, Jean Hampton of Orlando, FL, and Gail Dunlop of Deerbrook, WI; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     Rich was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, on September 23, 2021; his parents; one daughter, Susan E. Szymanski, on April 19, 2011; one granddaughter, Sara M. Alger, on August 15, 1995; one brother, Leonard; and one sister, Florence Lato.

     In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given in Rich's name for a memorial to be established at a later date.