Carl Albert Zurawski, age 87, passed away peacefully at the Veteran’s Home at King on Friday, August 29, 2014. He was born in Plover on June 9, 1927, the son of Frank and Helen (Shomberg) Zurawski.
He attended Pine School, a one room school house in Plover for eight years. Carl attended P.J. Jacobs High School. Carl was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and served from 1950-1952 with the Eighth Army, Second Division, Indianhead, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Third Battalion, Item Company achieving the rank of Corporal. Carl was decorated with a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement and the Combat Infantry Men’s Badge. He sustained serious wounds during the battle of Heartbreak Ridge earning a Purple Heart. Carl fought in four of the five major campaigns during the liberation of South Korea from the Chinese Communists. Carl was the recipient of the National Defense Medal, United Nations Korean Service Medal, receiving four Bronze Service Stars for each Campaign, United States Presidential Unit Citation received twice, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation received twice, Korean Defense Service Medal, the Ambassador for Freedom Medal from the Republic of South Korea as well as the Cold War Victory Medal. After his recuperation at the Army Hospital in Nagoya, Japan he returned to Camp Polk, Louisiana. During his combat experience Carl wrote hundreds of love letters to his future wife Anne many of which are included in his book “Dearest Anne”. Carl married Anne Augustinak on April 15, 1952 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Stevens Point.
During his younger years Carl worked on the family farm. He was later employed by Fischer’s Dairy in Stevens Point and by Greyhound Bus in Madison before being drafted into the military. After his marriage he and his wife resided in the vicinity of Camp Polk before he was honorably discharged from the Army. He continued employment with Greyhound Bus in Madison before moving back to Stevens Point to be near family. He worked for the Point Bakery making deliveries. Later, Carl was a bookkeeper for the City of Stevens Point from 1956 until his retirement in 1988. He was an active member of his Union serving as president for several years. For thirty years he owned and operated Central State Brushworks, a small business that made large rotary street sweepers for many Wisconsin municipalities.
Carl is survived by: his wife Anne; daughters: Karoleen Glenzer (Larry) and their children, Anne Kornides (Joseph), Laura and fiancé Paul Aldinger, Larry III and partner Laura Blank; Linda Miller and her children, Melissa Romeis (Scott), Margaret Bolar Boly (Hamady); Nancy Havlovick (Ray) and their children, Christine, Timothy, and Charles; and son Joseph Zurawski (Stacy) and their children, Zachary and Meghan. Carl loved his children and was especially proud of his 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Maxwell Kornides, Jacob Romeis, Rosalie Bolar Boly, and Madelyn and Layton Havlovick. He is also survived by his sister Rosa Wanta (Clarence) of Las Vegas, Nevada and sister-in-law Regina Misiewicz (Joe) and brother-in-law Stanley Augustinak (Jane) as well as many nieces and nephews. Carl lived his life on the principles of family, faith and work. In spite of being affected by post traumatic stress injury, throughout his life he was a quiet example to his children of how to live “the good life”. Carl enjoyed traveling with Anne throughout the United States. He spent many weekends in the Minocqua area camping with his children and later, with their families. He was an avid reader and self taught button box accordion musician.
Family and friends may gather at St. Stanislaus Church on Saturday, September 6 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. before the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Carl’s name will be established at a later date. Carl’s family is deeply grateful for the professional and loving care given to Carl at the Veteran’s Home at King. Special thanks to the staff who work with dementia patient members. They are gifted people who deserve our utmost respect for the difficult work that they do. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com