Full Obituary

ANTON S. “TONY” PLECHACEK, age 96, of Thorp, passed away on Good Friday, April 18, 2014, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.
He was born June 1, 1917, to Frank and Anna (Olla) Plechacek on the family farm off Colby Factory Road in the Clark County town of Reseburg, rural Thorp, where he lived nearly all of his life. He lost his father at age 13, and the family then had to endure the Great Depression. Though Tony did not serve in World War II, he was proud to be able to provide for his widowed mother and siblings, as well as support the war effort as a farmer. He married Ruth Bruun on Feb. 16, 1954, at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, rural Thorp. Tony, Ruth and their seven children operated a dairy farm. Tony also did roofing and carpentry work. He was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
Tony enjoyed playing cards with his friends, family and neighbors; fishing; and studying history, especially the Civil War and World War II. Tony saw many changes in his nearly 97 years of life, from being born in a log cabin to living his final few years in the City of Thorp.
Tony is survived by six children, David (Christina) of Troy, Mo., Rita (Thomas) Johnson of Stevens Point, Paul (Cheryl) of rural Willard, Daniel (Rita) of rural Chippewa Falls, Michael of rural Thorp and Carol (James) Rowell of Colorado Springs, Colo. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, Bethany, Katy, Joshua, Mary, Jesse, Cari, Ryan, Amy, Jenna, Anthony, John and Luke; and five great-grandchildren, Henry, Autumn, Gunner, Cora and Emmajean.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Patricia; his parents; a brother, Sylvester; sisters, Mary Lisy, Frances Plechacek, and infant Sophie; and a daughter-in-law, Penelope Plechacek.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at Thorp Funeral Home, where there will be a 7:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary, and from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 24, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, in Thorp. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Thorp
The family would to thank the staff of Oakbrook Healthcare and the palliative care unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital for their care of Tony in his final years.
Memorials can be made to the Hands Foundation for restoration of St. Hedwig’s Church, as well as St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church.