Barbara H. Czerwonka

Barbara Hedwig Czerwonka (nee Firkus), aged 93, went to the Lord peacefully on August 24th surrounded by her loving family while at home in Oconomowoc. Barbara was born on October 15, 1920, on the Firkus Farm in Plover, the daughter (9th child of 14) of Joseph Firkus and Johanna (Krutza) Firkus. She attended St. Bronislava Catholic Elementary School, Plover, and graduated with honors from P.J. Jacobs High School, Stevens Point. She went to work in Chicago with her sister, Irene; met and married the love of her life, George H. Czerwonka, of Rosholt, on February 22, 1941 in Chicago. She moved to Milwaukee during WWII when George served in the Navy, and then followed George with several opportunities before the family settled in the greater Milwaukee area. During the years Barbara raised the family, the children attended Catholic school at Sacred Heart Parish - Milwaukee where she was active in the PTA serving as President. She was always an active member of the parish community and a regular member of the church choir. She succeeded at any profession she undertook from a pastry chef specializing in pies to a valued employee at the West Bend Company where she retired in 1982. After enjoying retirement, Barbara and George settled in the Lake Arrowhead community near Wisconsin Rapids where she enjoyed visits from her large extended family. She loved to travel, polka dance and flower garden. She was an avid reader and loved watching Green Bay Packers’ and Milwaukee Brewers’ games. Barbara is survived by her husband of 73 years, George Czerwonka; brother, Lloyd (Ramona) Firkus, Plover; sister, Mrs. Irene Sankey, Plover; children – Patricia (Mathew) Formanek, Greenfield; George (Sharon) Czerwonka, Jr., Spokane, WA; Robert (Ann) Czerwonka, Cameron Park, CA; Geri (the late Daniel) Ploch, Watertown; Dotti (the late Dennis) Plantz, Wisconsin Rapids; Carl (Cathy) Czerwonka, Delafield; Rod (Louann) Czerwonka, Batavia, IL; Jeffery (Cynthia) Czerwonka, Jefferson, GA; Anita (George) Muckerheidi, Adell; Susan (Thomas) Bandle, Eau Claire; Rene (David) Schneider, Oshkosh - 33 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; children Joseph Michael, Angela Mary and Gregory Allen; and, brothers and sisters - Alfred, Julia, Genevieve, Elizabeth, Stanley, Kathryn, Raymond, Mary, Evelyn, Joseph and baby Firkus. Funeral Mass for Barbara will be held at St. Adalbert Catholic Church, 3315 St. Adalberts Road in Rosholt, WI on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 12:00 PM. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10:30 AM until the time of the Mass, all to be held at the church. Father Gregory Michaud will be presiding. Barbara will be laid to rest at the church cemetery following the service. Barbara’s favorite charity for more than 70 years was the Miraculous Medal Association. Please donate in her memory to: Miraculous Medal Association., 475 E. Chelten Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144 or online at www.miraculousmedal.org.