Alfred L. Siolka, 85, of Bonduel, passed away on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at a local nursing home. Born on Nov. 9, 1928, in Maple Grove, he was the son of the late Frank and Victoria (Pochron) Siolka.
In his younger years, Al worked for the canning factory, toy factory and at the bowling alley in Pulaski. In 1951 he enlisted with the United States Army and proudly served his country for two years in Japan during the Korean War. On Oct. 27, 1956, he was united in marriage to RuthAnn Brusky at St. Mary Catholic Church in Pulaski, now known as the Assumption B.V.M. After marriage, Al worked for Baker Automotive and S&L Automotive until purchasing his first farm in 1958. He retired from farming in 1996 and did custom field work and worked at the canning factory. Al was a member of St. Casimir Catholic Church in Krakow. One of his proudest accomplishments were his years spent coaching the softball team in Advance. Al’s greatest joy in life was his family and watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports, especially wrestling.
Al is survived by his loving wife, RuthAnn; his five children, Cherie (Tim) Schultz, of Shawano, Mick (Terri) Siolka, of Shawano, Chuck (Marcy) Siolka, of Bonduel, Julie (Doug) Harland, of Bonduel, and Scott (Justine Krause) Siolka, of Bonduel; 19 grandchildren, Jess, Ben, Liz, Madeline, Olivia, Lindsay, Cody, Chris, Dylan, Garrett, Cathryn, Brad, Nick, Katie, Cami, Austin, Carter, Jackson, Gabi; and nine great-grandchildren, Hazel, Xander, Maevagrace, Owen, Ella, Grady, Archer, Kalli, Gus and a 10th due to arrive in May. Al is further survived by four brothers, Norbert (Maryann), of Pulaski, Leonard (Gwen), of Krakow, Chester, of Green Bay, and Frank (Barbara), of Pulaski; and three sisters, Virginia VanHoogen, of Chicago, Lorraine (Joe) Przewoznik, of Chicago, and Bernadine Torznik, of Pulaski.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Stanley, and a sister, JoAnn (Adolph) Baranczyk.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Krakow with the Rev. Bob Konkol, OFM, and the Rev. Jim Esser, OFM, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. Visitation was held at the Swedberg-Wendt Funeral Home in Bonduel on Monday from 4-8 p.m. and on Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the services.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Birch Hill Care Center for the wonderful care given to Al.