James A. Mackowiak, age 86 years, of Clintonville passed away on Sunday morning, October 5, 2014 at his home.
James Anthony Mackowiak was born on May 26, 1928 in the Town of Belle Plaine, Shawano County, to John and Willamena (Dillenberg) Mackowiak Sr. On July of 1952 he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War until April of 1954. Jim and his twin brother, John Jr., farmed together from 1954 to 1959. Jim was united in marriage on May 19, 1954 to Dorothy H. Peeters at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bear Creek. The couple dairy farmed all of their lives on Kratzke Road, Town of Larrabee, Waupaca County. He liked helping out his neighbors whether it was raising a barn, building a house or a garage, baling hay or bringing in the crops. Jim always worked hard but never got tired especially when he went from the farm to the livestock exchange. He worked for close to 40 years at Carley Sales Livestock Exchange, Marion, helping out almost every Monday and Wednesday. Jim is a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and actively served for many years as an Usher. His wife preceded him on January 11, 2010. Jim’s other interests included listening to polka music, fixing just about everything around the house, and woodworking projects, especially crafting wooden saw canes. More recently, he would be seen regularly by neighbors checking out the farm land from his Kubota RTV. Jim will be remembered most for his wonderful sense of humor and as a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather who loved spending time with his family.
Survivors include five children: Barbara (Raymond) Polzin of Clintonville, Sarah (Dennis) Seymour of Clintonville, Mary (Patrick) Peeters of Bear Creek, Lisa (Kevin) Kriewaldt of Clintonville, Peter (Andrea) Mackowiak of Clintonville, and one daughter-in-law, Lori Mackowiak of Shiocton. There are 16 grandchildren: Jason, Kym, Andrew, Justin, Tara, Shaun, Jacob, Chelsea, Dayna, Mike, Marc, Chase, Cole, Cora, Joseph and Joshua. There are seven great-grandchildren: Tabitha, Alecia, Ava, Lily, Paige, Willow, and James. There is a brother, Ervin (Rose) Mackowiak of Clintonville, two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Hansen of Neenah and Helen Peeters of New London, and a brother-in-law, Willis Fritz of Clintonville. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; two sons, Robert and Michael Mackowiak; a daughter, Karen (Jeffery) Smith; a great-grandson, Alex; a sister, Helen (Ray) Petit; two brothers, infant Peter Mackowiak and John (Helen) Mackowiak Jr.; three sisters-in-law, Agnes (Herbert) Hooyman, Roseann Peeters and Rose Fritz, and four brothers-in-law, Anthony, Joseph and Martin Peeters, and James Hansen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 9th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. Fr. John “Jack” Mullarkey will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by members of the American Legion Post #63 and VFW Post #664, both of Clintonville. Friends and family may call on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of mass at the church. Online condolences may be sent via www.beil-didier.com