Full Obituary

     BERNICE I. DEPA, age 84, of Thorp, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Ministry Our Lady of Victory Hospital, in Stanley, WI.   Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, in Thorp.  Rev. William Felix will officiate and burial will follow in St. Mary's of Czestochowa Catholic Cemetery, rural Stanley. Pallbearers will be Jeff Zielke, Jeff Ostrowski, Mike Wiklanski, Dave Simmons, Mike Norks, Don Depa and Tom Andronowitz. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 from 4pm to 8pm, with a 7:30 pm rosary service. Visitation will also be held at the church, on Thursday, from 9:30 am until time of service.
     Bernice Irene Ostrowski was born on August 6, 1931 in Milwaukee, WI, to Thomas and Helen (Pestka) Ostrowski. Her family later moved to Wausau, WI, where she was raised and received her education. After completing her education, Bernice moved to Chicago and worked for Sunbeam, where she met her future husband. She was married to Louis S. Depa on September 26, 1953 at St. James Catholic Church in Wausau, WI.    They lived in Chicago for more than 55 years. Bernice worked for Sunbeam and Zenith while living in Chicago. Her husband's job took them to Rockford, IL, where she worked at Wilton Cake Decorating, then on to Downer's Grove, IL, where she worked in the radiology department at the hospital there. In retirement, she moved to Wausau for a few years, and made her final home in Thorp in June of 2000.  She resided in Thorp until her death.
     She lived her life in faith and was an active member of both, St. Mary's of Czestochowa and St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church. Bernice was also a member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women and sang in the Polish Choir for many years.
     Bernice had many interests, but especially loved polka dancing, going to the casino, playing cards, particularly the game 31, and was an avid traveler.
     She is survived by one brother, Clarence (Betty) Ostrowski of Amherst, WI, and was a loving aunt to many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and a Godmother to many.
     She was preceded in death by her parents: Thomas and Helen Ostrowski;  her husband: Louis, on May 25, 2014;  one sister: Leona Vogds;  two brothers: Eugene and Richard Ostrowski;  two nephews: Leonard and John Zynda;  and a great niece: Elizabeth Cadotte.