There’s a polka party in Heaven that gained another angel. Frank Waksmonski, Sr., age 90, of Rothschild, loving husband, dad, papa, great-grandpa was reunited with beloved family members on Sunday, June 3, 2018, while under the care of Interim Hospice and Palliative Care, at Rennes Health and Rehab Center.
Frank was born on September 5, 1927, in Mosinee (Moon), the son of the late Joseph and Sophie (Chrobek) Waksmonski.
On June 26, 1954 Frank was united in marriage to Arlette Ostrowski at St. Florian Catholic Church in Hatley. She survives.
Frank had a full life filled with work, which included dairy farming in Moon, “Frank and Arlette’s” Bar in Hatley, they also owned the Hatley Hotel, which became famous for its Sundayafternoon polka dances, fish fries and many other events.
He retired from Drott in 1987 after working in the welding department for 21 years. In 1989, the couple moved to Lakeland, FL, where they managed a retirement park for several years.
Frank’s life was also filled with fun. In Florida he became a 3rd and 4th degree member of St. Joseph’s K.C.
He was a scout master of Troop 497 in Hatley. Frank and his family visited the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, in Cimarron, NM. He was named scouter of the year and was also a member of the Order of the Arrow. Frank loved camping. He and Arlette took family trips to various western states and spent many years at Mayflower Lake and Lake DuBay campgrounds.
Next to his family, Frank loved concertina music. When he was six years old, his mom bought him his first one. As a teen he joined the Freddie Gaulkie Melady Kings band. Later Frank and his sons proudly provided music for many different occasions. He was inducted into the Concertina Hall of Fame in 2004, quite an accomplishment for the farm boy from Moon.
Family was the most important thing in Frank’s life.
Frank is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Arlette. Their marriage was blessed with six children, Berni (Dale) Ninnemann of Polk City, FL, Joni (Chris) Anderson of Ringle, Frank Jr. (Doreen) Waksmonski of Weston, Mike (Jayne) Waksmonski and Greg Waksmonski all of Wausau; nine grandchildren, Tyler (Anna) Wolfe, Melissa (Tim) Michaelson, Jennifer (Todd) Check, Logan (Rebecca) Wolfe, Joe (Kyla) Waksmonski, Amy Waksmonski, Jim (Bryn) Waksmonski, Katie (Chevy) Schultz and Kim (Rodney) Swanson, and 17 great-grandchildren complete the family who Frank loved unconditionally.
Frank is in Heaven with his parents; one son, Tom; two brothers, John and Eddie and four sister, Mary Wygonski, Josephine Kestian, Ann Cihlar and Frances Waksmonski.
A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at St. Florian Catholic Church, Hatley. Fr. Jerzy Rebacz will officiate. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
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or at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home on Facebook.
The family would like to thank Dr. Steven Nichols and the staff at Rennes Health and Rehab Center; Tim, Monica and Terry, from Interim Health Care, and a special thanks to Fr. Greg Bohren for all his support and prayers at this difficult time.
