Full Obituary

Vernon Stephen Lewandowski, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 89, at Our Lady of Victory Hospital, in Stanley, on Thursday, May 28, 2015.
Vern was born on June 4, 1925 in Thorp to Stephen and Susan (Lemanski) Lewandowski. In 1943, he graduated from Thorp High School and preceded to run the home farm.  At age 22, he became a fully licensed private pilot and enjoyed flying for recreation. 
He married his loving wife, Valeria Soborowicz, on June 23, 1951.  After his marriage, he & Val moved to Wichita, KS where he began working as a tool & die maker for Boeing Aircraft & Caterpillar CO.  After a short time, he returned to Thorp. He then began a  9 year career working as a switchman for the Soo Line Railroad in Chippewa Falls. While working for the railroad, Vern began to establish his own "family" farm that he would call home until the day he passed.
  Vern is survived by his wife, Valeria, of 63 years; two daughters: Diane Hooper of Thorp, Gail (Dan) Borowski of Menomonie; five sons: Gary (Kathy) of Shawano, Steve (Terri) of Marathon City, Wayne (Deidra) of Metamora, IL, John (Laurie Jo) of Thorp and Kevin (JoAnn) of Thorp; 14 grandchildren; 2 great-grandsons; one sister: Connie Sweetana of Bloomington, IL; and one brother: Robert (Mary Ann) Lewandowski of Thorp.  
He was preceded in death by his parents Susan and Stephen; three sisters: Helen Leibelt, Marion (Sopiarz) VerBunker, Margaret Nelson; and one son-in-law: Paul Hooper Jr.  
He was  a member of St. Hedwig's-St. Bernard's Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus Queen of Peace Council #4634.  In his early years, he joined the Flying Farmers and later enjoyed traveling abroad with his wife.  He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, in Thorp. Rev. Gerard Willger will officiate and burial will follow in St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Gary Lewandowski, Steven Lewandowski, Wayne Lewandowski, John Lewandowski, Kevin Lewandowski and Dan Borowski. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home, on Monday, June 1, 2015 from 4pm to 8pm, with a 7:30pm rosary service, and again on Tuesday, at the funeral home, from 9am to 10am.