Jozef Okreglicki, 88 of Stevens Point, WI died peacefully on February 15, 2023 at Aspirus Hospital in Stevens Point, WI surrounded by his family.
Jozef was born on February 28, 1934, in Lodz, Poland. While in Poland, Jozef attended college, was a soldier in the Polish military and worked as a Coal Mine engineer.
Jozef married the love of his life, Teresa Konopacki in September, 1960 and within a few years, he received sponsorship allowing him to travel to the US. He left his family and beloved Poland behind to chase the American dream. After four years of working and saving, he was able to bring his wife and two children to America, immigrating and settling in Chicago, IL.
While in the United States, Jozef worked diligently, arriving with almost nothing in his pockets, and with no grasp of the English language. He set forth to work any job that he could get and little by little, he and his wife saved enough to purchase houses and restore them to habitable condition.
Jozef and Teresa traveled to WI and fell in love with the Waupaca community, moving to Sheridan, WI in 1972. He worked happily at Worzalla Publishing, where he was surrounded by Polish speaking coworkers. In 1996, they moved to Stevens Point, WI to be near their son, Jerzy (George) and his family until his death.
Jozef was very involved in the Stevens Point Dozynki celebration through the years, often seen carrying the Polish flag and wearing the traditional Polish National attire. He and Teresa would encourage their family and others with Polish heritage to join in and share the pride of Poland. One of his proudest moments was having four generations clothed in Polish attire at the altar of St Stephen Church during the Dozynki Polka mass. As members of St. Peter Catholic Church, you would often see Jozef and Teresa carry the vessels for Holy Communion. Jozef enjoyed attending the local Panacea each year, loved Polka music, wearing colorful Hawaiian shirts and shorts, watching soccer, and especially loved the Green Bay Packers.
Jozef and Teresa spent numerous years making fun memories camping and fishing with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as traveling to Canada, FL, IL and MN. He loved it when family and friends would visit and always had a contagious smile on his face. He will be greatly missed.
Jozef is preceded in death by his parents, Stanislaw and Helena, two brothers and son Marusch. He is survived by his loving wife Teresa of 63 years, daughter Basia, (Barbara) Napiwocki and Scott Nelson, Prior Lake, MN, Krzysztof Janusz and Cheryl Okreglicki, Chenoa, IL/Stevens Point, WI and Jerzy (George) and Heidi Okreglicki, Waupaca/Fremont, WI. Seven Grandchildren, Nicole (Tyler) Geraghty, Alex Napiwocki, Corissa (Tyler) Clark, Jennifer (Nick Hibbard) Okreglicki, Katherine, Ashtyn and Amber Okreglicki. Seven Great Grandchildren, Teegan, Remingtyn, Ben, Kaidyn, Caspyan, Everleigh and Huxleigh. Jozef is also survived by his brother Marion in Poland.
Jozef…….” Odpocznij z Jezusem “ (Rest with Jesus)
Mass of Christian Burial for Jozef will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, February 27, 2023 at St. Peters Catholic
Church. Rev. Arul Joseph Visuvasam officiating. Burial will follow in the Guardian Angel Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. Monday morning at the St. Faustina Room of St. Peters Church until the
time for Mass.
The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be sent by
visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations toward the Jozef Okreglicki Dozynki scholarship that
will be established with the Stevens Point Polish Heritage Awareness Society.