August 24, 2020 at 3:52 p.m.
Robert "Bob" A. Stefonek
Robert "Bob" A. Stefonek
Bob was born in Rhinelander on Tuesday, March 17, 1936, to Allen R. and Lillian A. (Farmen) Stefonek. He was raised in Rhinelander until he entered his sophomore year in high school when the family moved to Sugar Camp. He attended Three Lakes High School, graduating in 1954. Bob then joined the National Guard serving from 1954 until 1959. While attending a Polka Dance, Bob met his future wife; Wilamina Pauline Schoone. The couple dated for a little over a year when they then married on Nov. 7, 1959 at St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Harrison. The couple moved into a home that Bob had built for them in the Town of Sugar Camp. They lived there for 10 years before moving to Denmark, Iowa where Bob logged for five years. He did this until his father's passing in 1974. The family moved to the family farm in the Town of Sugar Camp where Bob continued to farm, log, drive school bus for the Three Lakes School District and also owned and operated Robert Stefonek Excavating. Bob and Willy eventually moved back to Iowa in 1986 owning a hog farm and ostrich farm until 2001. They then retired back to the Town of Sugar Camp.
Bob had been involved with the Sugar Camp Snowmobile Club, past Town of Sugar Camp Supervisor. Bob will be remembered for enjoying Polka Dances, playing cards, fishing and being a voracious reader.
He was a member of St. Kunegunda of Poland Catholic Church in Sugar Camp, his entire life.
He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Willy; four daughters: Rosemary (Bill) Kafka of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Kathryn (John) Powers of Lake Tomahawk, Jill Stefonek and Jorn Bansberg of Gays Mills, and Sharon (Rick) Pingel of Clintonville; five grandchildren: Jacqueline and Renee Kafka, Robert and Danielle Powers and Gabriela Bansberg; three step-grandchildren: Kristen, Megan and Lauren Pingel; three step-great-grandchildren: Colton, Hannah and Liam; one brother, Thomas J. (Carlene) Stefonek of McFarland and one sister, Sharon A. Meyers of Stewartstown, Pa. Also surviving are nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parent, Allen R. and Lillian A. Stefonek.
The visitation for Bob took place on Monday, August 24, 2020 at St. Kunegunda of Poland Catholic Church, located at 6895 State Rd 17, Sugar Camp from 10:30 a.m. until the noon Mass of Christian Burial, with Fr. Ron Serrao officiating. Immediately following the mass there was a committal service at St. Kunegunda of Poland Catholic Cemetery.
In memory and in honor of Bob, memorial contributions may be given to the Salvation Army, 108 W. Somo Avenue, Tomahawk, Wisconsin 54487 or to the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry, 627 Coon Street, Rhinelander, or to a food pantry of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501, 715-365-4343. You are invited to sign the guestbook or leave a condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.
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