Full Obituary

     MALEN L. "BUTCH" TECLAW, age 92, of Thorp, WI, passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls, WI.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp.  Rev. Joshy Mathew Kulangara will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery in Thorp.  Military rites will be conducted by the Thorp VFW and the Thorp American Legion Post #118.  Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Friday, February 10, 2017 from 4pm to 8pm, with a 7:30pm rosary service, and again at the church, on Saturday, from 9:30am until time of service.
     Malen Lawrence Teclaw was born on March 1, 1924 in Lublin, WI, to Michael and Verna (Stroinski) Teclaw.  He was raised and received his education in the Thorp area, graduating from Thorp High School in 1942.  He entered the U.S. Army where he served in World War II from 1943 to 1945.  He saw service in the Western Pacific with the 38th Infantry Division, also known as, "The Avengers of Bataan", earning the Bronze Star Medal for courageous action in battle.  After his honorable discharge, he worked for a few years as a bartender at Leon and Lil's in Thorp.  He was united in marriage to Don Etta "Donna" LaFlex on September 24, 1949 at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp.  After serving in various capacities at the Thorp Post Office, Butch was promoted to Postmaster in 1961, a job he held until his retirement in 1988.
     He had many interests, but especially enjoyed gardening, watching the Green Bay Packers, and spending time with his family.  He was especially thrilled to be able to watch his beloved Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2016.
     Butch was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus Queen of Peace Council #4634, the Thorp VFW, the Thorp American Legion, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
     He is survived by two children:  Paula (Larry) Paskert of Thorp, WI,  Jerry (Renee) Teclaw of Thorp, WI;  7 grandchildren;  11 great-grandchildren;  2 step grandchildren, and 7 step great-grandchildren.  He is further survived by six brothers:  Alois Teclaw of Oshkosh, WI,  Raymond (Valeria) Teclaw of Thorp, WI,  Marion (Margaret) Teclaw of Johnston, IA,  Norbert (Nancy) Teclaw of Oak Park, IL,  Richard (Marlys) Teclaw of Celebration, FL,  David (Carol) Teclaw of Shorewood, MN;  one sister:  Lillian Kaczmarek of Thorp, WI;  numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
     Butch was preceded in death by his parents;  his wife, Donna, on September 16, 1997;  three sisters:  Florence Teclaw in infancy, Angeline Teclaw and Marcella Szymanski;  one brother:  Leon Teclaw;  and one step grandson:  Quincy Paskert.