"i will miss his laugh and smile"
In loving memory of
Jozef Bednarz
November 27, 1923 - January 23, 2012
Jozef Bednarz was born November 27, 1923 in Sambor, Poland, son of Jan and Barbara (Chliszczyk) Bednarz. At the age of 17, he was taken from his family by Nazi soldiers to Hamburg Germany as a Prisoner of War. He worked in labor camps nearly 5 years until the end of WWII. Joe continued to work for the British Army until he migrated to the United States in 1951.
Jozef married Leanne Marlow on July 6, 1953. They were married 23 years and had 12 children. He was later married to Ann Obiat for 7 years.
Jozef worked at Welp's Hatchery in Bancroft when he came to the United States. He also worked at Welp's Feed Mill. After he was married to Leanne, he worked for the city of Fort Dodge and at the Gypsum Mills in Fort Dodge. He moved to Los Angeles in 1977 where he resided for 33 years. He worked for Valley Federal Savings and Loan and as a security guard for the Johnny Carson Show and also for FOX Studios.
Joe returned to Iowa in 2009 and moved to Algona in 2010 residing at Van Buren Terrace and then at the home of his oldest daughter, Barb. After being diagnosed with cancer, he entered into Westview Care Center in Britt on December 5, 2011. Joe died there, Monday, January 23, 2012 at the age of 88.
He is survived by 11 children, Barbara (Joe) Goecke of Algona, Katherine (Bruce) Ritchie of Branson, MO, Jan Christensen of Palm Desert, CA, John (Lynette) Bednarz of Urbandale, Angie Curell of Tucson, AZ, Theresa Gerdis of Florissant, CO, Dr. Mary Jo Palmer of Oakton, VA, Peggy (Phil) Shellenberg of Algona, Tom Bednarz of Des Moines, Sandye Bednarz of Britt, and Sharon (Jamie) Stromer of Britt; 23 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Dr. Kelly Paulsen, of Wauconda, IL; and two sisters, Aniela and Kasia of Klodzko, Poland.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Rob Michael Bednarz; a grandson, Andrew Shellenberg; a great-grandson, Luke Fraser; a son-in-law, James Gerdis; two brothers, Matteas and Stan; and a sister, Bronia.
Tributes
"Mary and Peg, So sorry to hear about your Dad, you are all in my prayers."
"Sandye, Sharon, Peg, and to the rest of the Bednarz family, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. You are all in my prayers on a daily basis. God Bless and please take care of yourselves thru this time of so "
"Kathy, Jan, Barb and all of the Bednarz family; Sorry to hear about your dad. My prayers are with you. May you find strength from the memories. Your family always made me feel like the 13th child when Kathy and me were roommates at college. "
"So sorry to hear of your loss. You all are in our prayers."
"Sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts & prayers."
"Very sorry for you loss, you have my prayers and thoughts.
melissa perkins"
"Dad never missed a family reunion-he flew from California every year to be with us. We will miss you so much dad. Love...Kathy "
"Bednarz family, Tom, I am so very sorry to hear about your dads passing. Cody, I want to just give u a hug to let u know I am so sorry about ur grandpa.. The rest of the family. With cancer it is not easy , Wish cancer would be the thing that dies not the loved ones. It doesn't help but at least he is out of the pain of it now & in a better place looking down on you & will always be with you.. With GODS help it will get easier with time. My prayers & thoughts to all of you."