Kathleen (Horacek) Skrzypcak

Kathleen“Kathy”Marie(Horacek)SkrzypcakofEdgar,wasunexpectedly called home to the Lord on May 21, 2024, surrounded by family at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Kathy was born on April 3, 1942, to Albert and Bernice (Zahorka) Horacek in the town of Rietbrock. She grew up on the family dairy farm near Milan and graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1960.

In 1961, Kathy first met Marvin Skrzypcak at Don’s Beer Bar in Rib Falls. About a month later, they saw each other again at the Athens Fair and started dating shortly after. Marvin and Kathy married the following year on August 18, 1962, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Milan. Following their marriage, Kathy joined Marvin on the Skrzypcak family dairy farm in the town of Cassel and went on to raise four children: Lori, Mark, Terri and Scott. Kathy fiercely loved her children and maintained close relationships with them throughout her life.

Kathy had a lifelong love of music and began playing accordion at a young age. She joined her parents in their family polka band, The Twilight Ramblers, at the age of 14. She and Marvin continued the band through the mid-1970’s. Beginning in high school, she taught accordion lessons and had over 90 students throughout her many years of teaching. Kathy always encouraged the love of music in her children and grandchildren.

In addition to their dairy farm, Marvin and Kathy grew ginseng for over 25 years. Along with being busy with farmwork and working alongside Marvin, Kathy took pride in taking care of her home and yard and ensured there were plenty of delicious baked goods to eat when the work was done. She loved having everyone over at the farm and made all feel welcome and loved. She frequently hosted Sunday evenings for her family to visit. She also enjoyed hosting her family for holidays and special occasions. No one ever left her home hungry!

Kathy spent many years volunteering with Bingo and the gift cart at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, which she found fulfilling. In her free time, she loved to play accordion, bake, read and pray. She and Marvin enjoyed going out for fish fries with their friends every Friday. They attended Mass every Saturday evening and were often found afterwards playing 6-5-4 at Socha’s Saloon or Kingston’s Bar with their friends. They loved attending church dinners or visiting with friends at the “Corner” Restaurant in Edgar. At home, they enjoyed watching Mollie B and other favorite television shows together.

She also loved traveling with Marvin. They enjoyed Sunday road trips and took many trips to attend country music shows and polka dances. They took many memorable vacations together. Some of her favorite vacations included their honeymoon trip to Glacier National Park, South Dakota, Alaska, Hawaii, Texas, Branson, Nashville, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, New York, California, Colorado and Mexico. They took a special trip to Niagara Falls to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Kathy also enjoyed her annual shopping trips to Appleton with her children and grandchildren as a special weekend getaway. Kathy had a knack for making each of her grandchildren feel special. She would take them each shopping for their birthdays to pick out new outfits. She made sure they received a note, phone call or card on every birthday and special occasion. As they were growing up, she ensured that the playroom was stacked with plenty of toys and books, and she maintained a secret stash of candy just for them. Kathy also loved attending the sports, music and school events of her children and grandchildren. She made it known that she wanted all of her grandchildren to be involved as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers. Kathy loved everyone and always saw the good in people. She loved her entire family immensely and prayed for everyone. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin Skrzypcak; children: Lori (Dale) Krause, Mark (Annette) Skrzypcak, Terri (Trent) Schelvan and Scott Skrzypcak; grandchildren: Traci (Robert) Leffel, Travis (Vanessa) Krause, Jordan Krause, Jessi (Kody) Guden, Kelsi Krause, Brianna Skrzypcak, Kaitlyn (Matt) Simpson, Shania Skrzypcak, Troy (Brianna) Andreshak, Karissa (Kody) Wirkus, Austin Dahlke, Tyler Skrzypcak and Amber Skrzypcak; step-grandchildren: Tanner Schelvan, Tristan Schelvan and Ty Schelvan; great-grandchildren: Rosalie Leffel, Brayden Leffel, Mia Krause, Josie Guden, Rhett Andreshak, Avery Andreshak, Kenleigh Wirkus and Klaydin Wirkus, and siblings: Jerry (Bonita) Horacek and Diane Horacek. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Bernice (Zahorka) Horacek, Marvin’s parents Martin and Helen (Rodman) Skrzypcak, brothers-in-law and sistersin- law Alex (Doris) Skrzypcak, Louis Skrzypcak, Dolores (George) Schueller, Cecilia Skrzypcak, and Lillian (James) Burish, and her nieces Mary (Schueller) Borchardt, Mary (Burish) Ruplinger, and Susan (Schueller) Ballerstein.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Visitation was on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of services all at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel.

The family would like to thank the Edgar EMT ambulance crew, the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Father Joseph Nakwah for his blessing and prayers for our wife, mom and grandma.

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

Paid obituary 153258_2