John V. Kulesa

1952-2021

John V. Kulesa, Jr., age 69, of Thorp, passed away at Our Lady of Victory Hospital, in Stanley, on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin. Rev. Vijay Kumar Madani officiated, and burial followed in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Jeff Kulesa, Ron Kulesa, Ben Abramowicz, Derek Orlikowski, Joey Shatwell, and Brandon Falkenberg. Military rites were conducted by the Lublin American Legion Post #547. Visitation was held at the church, on Thursday, Dec. 16, following an 8 a.m. rosary service.

John Vincent Kulesa, Jr. was born on Oct. 6, 1952 in Stanley to John V. and Eleanor G. (Ehlert) Kulesa, Sr. He was raised on the family farm in the Bellinger area, attended Lublin School, and graduated from Gilman High School in 1970. John was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972, served during the Vietnam Era in Giebelstadt, Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1974. He was united in marriage to Linda M. Abramowicz on Oct. 25, 1975 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin. John worked for Pete Witek in his sawmill, and later worked in construction for Mike Lew and Mark Lew. He eventually started his own business building/remodeling barns and house basements, laying stone walls, blocks, etc... John always said he spent most of his life fixing everyone else’s “screw-ups.” He took great pride in doing his work and doing it right. John was known in the Mennonite community as the “Barn Doctor” and the “Barn Chiropractor.” John was also a Berg Equipment Dealer from 1989 until the present.

He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, and the Lublin American Legion Post #547 for 44 years, where he was Sergeant at Arms most of those years.

John had many interests, but especially enjoyed playing with his grandkids, having the family around for big gatherings, playing guitar and singing, and hunting.

John always loved helping others out and would never ask anything in return, only that they would pay it forward and help out others in need.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, of Thorp; 10 children, Jesse (Jamie) of Abbotsford, Alex (Angie Middleton, the wife he never married) of Thorp, Christopher (T’Neal) of Schofield, Sharon (Tim) Sutliff of Boyceville, Katherine (Tim) Ramer of Versailles, Mo., Amanda (James) Couch of Black Creek, Justin (Breanna Nesthus) of Elk Mound, Jacob (Alyssa Geimer) of Plum City, David (Jordyn Anderson) of New Auburn, BreeAnna (Josh) Lewan of Dunlap, Tenn.; grandchildren, Jesse James, Sophie, Caleb, Carter, Wyatt, Piper, Kenli, Titus, Judah, Elias, Isaiah, Zachary (Abby), Rachel, Madilynn, Jasmine, Elanor, Kloe, Brynlee, Olivia, Brantley, Rose, Claire; great-grandchildren, Avery, Grace and Maisey; two brothers, Jeff (Laurie) and Joel (Val), both of Thorp; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Jerry and Justin.

Online condolences may be expressed at www. cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral Home of Thorp, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.

Paid Obituary 114505