Josephine Clara Kotecki

Notes:

Died:
Obituary: https://cuddiefh.com/obituaries/view_details.php?oid=1678

JOSEPHINE C. SARAFIN, age 90, of Eau Claire, WI, died peacefully in her sleep on April 2, 2023 at Our House Senior Living in Eau Claire, WI. A memorial service will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Thorp Funeral Home in Thorp, WI, with Pastor Bill Beaton officiating. Burial of cremains will follow in East Thorp Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home, on Saturday, from 9:30am until time of service.
Josephine Clara Kotecki was born on November 22, 1932 on the family farm, rural Thorp, the third of four children to Frank and Vernie (Przybylski) Kotecki. She attended Sunny Lawn Elementary and Thorp High Schools then moved to Milwaukee. Josephine lived in Milwaukee for a time, working for a sewing factory. She moved back to Thorp where she met John Sarafin. They were united in marriage on June 30, 1951 and then relocated to Waukesha, WI. After the birth of their son, James, they moved back to the Sarafin family farm in Lublin where they resumed farming. Sometime later their daughter, Cheryl, was born.
Growing up during the height of the Great Depression instilled in her the values of hard work, resourcefulness, and independent thinking. Farm life was hard work. To make ends meet, John worked as a laborer on area construction projects; Josephine managed two children and ran the farm. She loved to cook, and family meals were always small feasts. In addition, she baked cakes for weddings and other special occasions. Josephine also loved to sew and made many of the family’s clothes. They raised their own meat and planted a large garden. Josephine continued to maintain a small garden throughout her life.
In 1965, after her father died, Josephine and John purchased the Kotecki farm and the family moved back to her original home in Thorp. There she continued to manage both farm and family, and found time to volunteer in church, and local organizations. Josephine also selflessly supported extended family and friends during some of their difficult times; many of them remembered her with Christmas and birthday cards throughout her life. As she became older, those who lived close by repaid her kindness by doing chores, so she could remain living in her childhood home.
After her husband died in 1985, Josephine continued to live on the family farm. She was active in the Thorp United Methodist Church and Thorp American Legion Auxiliary. She also supported the Thorp area blood drive. She capitalized on her love of cooking with a part-time job as a cook for Club 73. She enjoyed traveling on bus trips and visited many sites with friends. When her health declined in 2021, Josephine moved to an assisted living facility in Eau Claire where she lived until her death.
She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Josephine is survived by her children: James (Toni) Sarafin, Cheryl (Ron) Lenz; six grandchildren: Jennifer (Erik), James, Ruth, Claire (Eric) Sarafin, John and Emilie Lenz; two great-grandchildren: Oskar and Walter Sarafin-Johnson; one brother: Frank Kotecki; her sister-in-law: Sophie Kurdas; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; brothers: Edward (Josephine) Kotecki and Clarence (Gertrude) Kotecki; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Joe (Lorraine) Sarafin, Harold (Evelyn) Sarafin, Frank (Laura)Sarafin, Edward Sarafin, Stephanie Kotecki, and Richard Kurdas.

Visitation:
Saturday, May 20th, 2023 - 9:30am to 10:30am
Thorp Funerl Home
110 West School Street
Thorp, WI 54771

Services:
Saturday, May 20th, 2023 - 10:30am
Thorp Funeral Home
110 West School Street
Thorp, WI 54771

Josephine married John Sarafin on 30 Jun 1951 in Thorp, Wisconsin, USA. John (son of Michael Sarafin and Eleanor Malinowski) was born on 9 Sep 1919 in Lublin, Wisconsin, USA; died on 5 Oct 1985 in St. Joseph's Hospital, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA; was buried on 8 Oct 1985 in East Thorp Cemetery, Thorp, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jim Sarafin
2. Cheryl Sarafin

Other Events:

• _FA1: Social Security #: 395-36-6056
• _FA2: Issued in: Wisconsin
• _FA3: Residence code: Wisconsin
• _FA4: Last residence ZIP: 54771

Notes:

[Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1 A-L, Ed. 6, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Oct 6, 1998, Internal Ref. #1.111.6.139178.10]

Individual: Kotecki, Frank
Social Security #: 395-36-6056
Issued in: Wisconsin

Birth date: Aug 10, 1900
Death date: Jan 1966


Residence code: Wisconsin

ZIP Code of last known residence: 54771
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code:

Thorp, Wisconsin

Frank married Veronica Przybylski on 22 Jun 1926 in St Hedwigs Church, Thorp, WI. Veronica (daughter of Valentine Przybylski and Josephine Klezewski (? or Slezewski)) was born on 27 Jan 1909 in Thorp, Clark, Wisconsin, USA; died on 12 Apr 1985 in Luther Hospital, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA; was buried on 15 Apr 1985 in St. Mary PNCC, Lublin, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _FA1: Social Security #: 392-50-9850
• _FA2: Issued in: Wisconsin
• _FA3: Residence code: Wisconsin
• _FA4: Last residence ZIP: 54771
• Name: Veronica Przybylski
• Birth: 27 Jan 1909, Wisconsin

Notes:

[Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1 A-L, Ed. 6, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Oct 6, 1998, Internal Ref. #1.111.6.139178.152]

Individual: Kotecki, Vernie
Social Security #: 392-50-9850
Issued in: Wisconsin

Birth date: Jan 27, 1909
Death date: Apr 1985


Residence code: Wisconsin

ZIP Code of last known residence: 54771
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code:

Thorp, Wisconsin

Notes:

---------Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 07/01/1926

--------- Przybylski, Vernie (22 JUN 1926)

Miss Vernie Przybylski, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Przybylski, of the town of Withee, Clark County, Wis., and Mr. Frank Kotecki, also of the town of Withee, were happily united in marriage on Tuesday morning, June 22, 1926, at St. Hedwig's Church, Father F. A. Kulig officiating. A reception at the home of the bride's parents followed the ceremony at the church. The numerous guests present joined heartily in expressing congratulations and best wishes to the newly wedded couple, in which "The Courier" joins.

Lawrence married Anastazyna Kaminska on 12 Oct 1885 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA. Anastazyna (daughter of Frank Kaminski and Veronica Szymkiewicz) was born on 6 May 1867 in Poland; died on 22 Nov 1929 in St. Joseph's Hospital, Chippewa Falls, WI. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

---------Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 11/28/1929

--------- Kotecki, Anastazya (1 SEP 1866 - 22 NOV 1929)

Mrs. Anastazya Kotecki, wife of Mr. Lawrence Kotecki, for many years a resident of the town of Withee, Clark County, Wis., died at St. Joseph's Hospital at Chippewa Falls on Friday, Nov. 22, 1929. Deceased was born in Poland on Sept. 1, 1866 and had reached the age of 63 years, 2 months and 21 days. Tumor of the liver caused her ailment which resulted in her death. She leaves to mourn, her husband, Lawrence Kotecki, three sons, Anton Frank and Harry, and three daughters, Mrs. M. Krakowiecki of Gilman, Celia and Christina at home and one sister, Mrs. Adam Kulik. Funeral services were held on Tuesday morning at St. Hedwig's Church, Father F. A. Kulig officiating, and burial taking place in the Parish Cemetery.

Valentine married Josephine Klezewski (? or Slezewski). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Frank married Veronica Szymkiewicz. Veronica was born in in Sojczyn Borowy, Poland (Russia); died in in Brooklyn, NY, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]