Bibian R. Witek ‘Grandma Bea’
1927-2020
Bibian ‘Grandma Bea’ R. Witek, 93, of Lublin, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin. Rev. Vijay Kumar Madani will officiate, and burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Joshua Witek, Dean Kroeplin, Marty Kroeplin, David Kroeplin, Donnie Kroeplin, Dan Boie, John Kroeplin and Michael Witek. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Monday, Oct. 5 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will also be held at the church, on Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.
Bibian Rita Wisniewski was born on July 19, 1927 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Lucyan and Geraldine (Kozynski) Wisniewski. As a young child, her family moved to a farm in the Town of Maplehurst, rural Lublin, where she was raised and received her education, graduating from Withee High School in 1945. She then attended the Medford Normal School where she earned her teaching certificate. Bea was united in marriage to Edward W. Witek on April 14, 1948 in Medford. They later moved to Chicago where she worked as a secretary for Yates Manufacturing. In 1971, she returned to the rural Lublin area and worked as a cook at the Thorpedo Restaurant, and later at the Medford Hospital, until her retirement.
In her retirement, she enjoyed cooking and bartending at the Back 40 Bar & Restaurant. She was well known in the area for her homemade chicken soup, with her hand cut noodles. Bea enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. Her heart and her door were always open for everyone.
Bea was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, a member of the Lublin American Legion Auxiliary, and was a Gold Star Mother.
She will be dearly missed by her three children, Rick (Donna) Witek of Withee, Donna (Mark) Kroeplin of Gilman, Diane (Marvin) Wulff of Lublin; 14 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; two sisters, Winnie Niznik of Lublin, Jean Lorzen of Thorp; one brother, Ben (Cathy) Wisniewski of Thiensville; one sister-in-law, Darlene Wisniewski of Withee; one brother-in-law, Joe Mrozik of Wautoma; her beloved (pain-in-the-ass) boxer, “Sarge”; many, many, nieces, nephews and friends.
Bea is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward W. Witek; one son, Edward “Corky” Witek; one son-in-law, Marty Kroeplin; four sisters, Gerry Hamachek, Dorothy Zakrzewicz, Barbara Wisniewski, and Lori Mrozik; and three brothers, Mitch, Bill and Bob Wisniewski.
Online condolences may be expressed at www. cuddiefh.com.
Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Paid Obituary 95385
