Sunday, January 19, 2025
Theodore “Ted” Irwin Mallasch, 6/23/34-12/19/24, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
He kept a positive attitude, even though he faced several serious health challenges over the last year. When asked how he was doing, he would reply in one of two ways, “I’m doing the best I can every day” or “I’ve got my family, what else could a guy ask for?” He absolutely loved his job, working as a union carpenter for Peter A. Johnsen and Son of Park Ridge, IL for 38 years. He would say, “You’ll never work a day in your life if you love your job.” After retirement is when he got seriously into woodcarving. During this time, he created thousands of wood carvings, and oftentimes he would give away his pieces. The smiles on the recipient’s faces were his reward. People would ask “what’s your favorite piece?”, to which he would reply, “the piece I’m working on right now.” Even though he was born in Chicago and lived almost his entire life on Whipple Street, he enjoyed coming up to the family cottage on Miner Lake in Waupaca. One of his favorite things to do was to take his dog for a walk.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ted & Amanda and sister Joyce. He is survived by Gloria, his wife of 69 years, their sons: Tedd and Todd (Lisa), grandchildren: Man (their partner Quinn) and Braden; many nieces and nephews, along with numerous cousins in Germany. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospitals. A celebration of life will be held in the spring/summer of 2025.
The Maple Crest Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
