Richard Kowalewski

RICHARD I. KOWALEWSKI

Richard Isadore Kowalewski, age 83, of Winona, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2016, at St. Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona, where he was a resident for the past two years.

Richard was born and raised in Winona, and he met the love of his life, LaVonne, at the Dairy Bar Café.  He always felt blessed to have 54 years of marriage.  LaVonne preceded him in death in 2006.  He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Nancy Springer, and his sister-in-law, Sandra Matthees.

Being an avid outdoorsman, Richard loved the Winona area for its beauty, especially the river.  He left us many fond memories of being out on the river with our dad and grandpa.  He was an avid bird hunter, and loved hunting in the Weaver bottoms, never missing opening day of goose hunting for over 50 years.

Richard worked at the Federal Bakery in Winona for 25 years, where he was president of the Baker’s Union, and he then went on to work at Badger Construction until his retirement in 1998.  He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona.

Richard is lovingly survived by his six children: Sue (Geoff) Fischer; Diane (Jeff) Gray; Danny (Coleen) Kowalewski; Kathy (Rick) Van Norman; Tom (Lisa) Kowalewski; and Gary Kowalewski; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Donna (Jim) Roemer; brother-in-law: Gordon Matthees; as well as other relatives and friends.

His last outing was just a month ago when he attended the high school graduation of his youngest grandchild, Liz Kowalewski, and his presence was very special to Richard and his family.

Dad, Grandpa, Great-grandpa – we will miss you, and want to thank you for everything you taught us.

Richard’s family would like to say a special thank you to all of the caregivers at St. Anne’s, especially Sebastian (“the kid”), whose compassion and love went beyond our expectations.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona.  The Reverend James Berning will officiate.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home on Monday, July 11, 2016, from 6 PM until 8 PM, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:45 PM.  Visitation will also be held in the Commons of St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, from 10 AM until 10:45 AM.

Richard will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in a private family burial.

Pallbearers will be Geoff and Tom Fischer, Dusty Kowalewski, Jake Van Norman, and Jeff and Josh Gray.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Richard’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com