Mary Kropidlowski's Obituary
Mary Kropidlowski, age 83, of Stevens Point, WI, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2010 at Stevens Point Care Center. Mary was born in Poddebowiecz, Poland on October 25, 1926 the daughter of the late Jan & Stella (Adamczyk) Bryla. She married Bernie Kropidlowski on Nov. 6, 1948 in Poland and he preceded her in death on August 31, 1997. When Mary was 14 years old, she was sent to a forced labor camp in Germany. For four years, she endured the hardship and deprivation of the labor camp, until liberated in 1945. While staying in a town in Germany for displaced persons, Mary met her future husband Bernie. Mary and Bernie made their home on a farm in Almond, WI. They worked the farm and raised their 12 children. Mary became known thru out the area for talking at schools and other functions about her experiences during World War II. To her family, Mary has shown great strength of character, resiliency, a sense of humor, faith and most of all, love. She is survived by her children: Anthony (Linda) Kropidlowski, Phoenix, AZ; Thomas (Bernie) Kropidlowski, Neenah, WI; Paul (Rita) Kropidlowski, Amherst, WI; Roman Kropidlowski, Amherst, WI; Bernice (Thomas) Jerzak, Bancroft, WI; Hedwig (William) Lettau, Kaukauna, WI; Barbara (Robert) Schratz, Phoenix, AZ; Theresa (William) Misiewicz, Elizabeth, CO; Angela (Douglas) Thurber, Combined Locks, WI; Lucy (Kevin) Loomis, South Milwaukee, WI; Sophie (Russell) Glodowski, Amherst, WI; her 24 grandchildren: Andrea Kropidlowski, Nick Kropidlowski, Stefan Kropidlowski, Krystyna (Erik) Hjerstedt, Adam (Christine) Kropidlowski, Jacob Jerzak, Juliana (Matt Eberhardt) Jerzak, Michelle (Jesse) Waltenberg, Kathy (Dan) Lisiecki, Peter (Jen) Kropidlowski, Jenny (Chris) McCarten, Daniel (Amber) Kropidlowski, Lisa Kropidlowski, Elizabeth (Karac) Nutile, Charles Thurber, Nathan Kropidlowski, Laura Kropidlowski, Ben Kropidlowski, Timothy Kropidlowski, Michael (Ashley) Misiewicz, Michaela Misiewicz, Kimberly Glodowski, Krystal Glodowski, Kyle Glodowski and 12 great grandchildren. Mary is also survived by 4 brothers, Stanley Bryla, Stefan (Bernice) Bryla, Henry (Hedwig) Bryla, Mickey (Vera) Bryla and a sister, Jane (Henry) Bochinski and numerous nieces and nephews all who live in Poland. Mary was also preceded in death by a son, Henry and an infant sister, Rose. The Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 at 10 AM at St. James Catholic Church in Amherst with Father Robert Pedretti, presiding. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Town of Lanark. Visitation will be on Monday eve. from 4 to 8 PM at Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst with a General Rosary at 7 PM and also on Tuesday morning from 9 AM until the time of mass at the church.
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