Edward Walter Mondroski

Edward W. Mondroski, 98, of Mosinee, WI and most recently The Renaissance assisted living facility in Weston, WI passed away peacefully on February 21, 2018 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston, WI due to complications following hip surgery.

Edward was born January 12, 1920 in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Stanley and Anna (Fritz) Mondroski. He was born sixth of 12 children and the family moved to Knowlton, WI when he was four years old. He attended area public schools and later joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps.) Camps as a teenager. He served in the United States Army during WWII from 1941 to 1945 as an Army Tech Sargent. Stationed in the South Pacific for three years, Ed traveled the world while serving his country to places like New Zealand, the Republic of Fiji, New Georgia, and Guadalcanal. One of his most admirable military accomplishments included protecting Hill 700 in a dangerous campaign in Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. The campaign lasted some agonizing ten days. Most of his unit was killed and only he and 12 other enlisted men were able to walk back down that hill alive. During his military career, Ed earned many awards including a Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Rifleman Badge, Pistol Marksman Badge, two Bronze Stars for Valor, the Asiatic Pacific Medal, American Defense Medal, Hill 700 Defense Medal and a Victory Medal.

After returning from the South Pacific, he began his lifelong career at the Mosinee Paper Mill, marrying his first wife, Josephine Onopa, in 1946. They had three children and enjoyed a 44-year marriage, residing in Mosinee. Ed later married Betty Kuklinski enjoying a 10-year marriage, while continuing to live in Mosinee. Ed, who loved to be called “Mr. Ed,” enjoyed feeding the multitudes of birds that visited his property. He also enjoyed watching sports on television, with boxing being his favorite. Ed had a knack for telling stories and entertained everyone he encountered. He also had a ventriloquist’s dummy with which he amused his audiences --- particularly his great grandchildren --- right up until his passing.

Ed was preceded in death by his first wife, Josephine, his second wife Betty, his great grandson Finnegan Ringdroski, his daughter Julie Mondroski, and his son, Dennis Mondroski.

He is survived by his daughter Marcia (Joanne Pallen) Mondroski, Atlanta, GA; daughter-in-law, Carol Mondroski, Mosinee, WI; three grandchildren, Joe (Chris) Mondroski, Walker, MI; Becky (Jamie) Pemble, Mosinee, WI; Nicky (Mike Ring) Mondroski, Madison, WI; and six great grandchildren, Ella and Jolie Mondroski, Chase and Drake Pemble, and Evelyn and William Ringdroski.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at Our Savior National Catholic Church, Mosinee. The Rev. Marion Talaga will officiate. Burial will be at Mosinee Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday at Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, where at 4:00 pm. there will be a VFW service. Visitation will be again 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.bestefh.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ed’s name, may be made to the John McNicholas pediatric brain tumor foundation at www.livelikejohn.org/finn.

The family would like to thank all who have visited Ed to be at his side during his hospitalization to show their loving support.