Fred A. Lewandowski

Fred A. Lewandowski, 82, of Ansley, died Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at the Grand Island Veterans Home in Grand Island. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Josaphat's Catholic Church in Loup City. The Rev. Marty Egging will officiate. Inurnment will be at 1 p.m. at the Arcadia Cemetery in Arcadia, with graveside military honors by American Legion Post 48 of Loup City. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 6 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of Loup City is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Lewandowski was born on Aug. 8, 1930, on his grandmother's farm, northeast of Loup City, the son of Anton and Sophie (Rewolinski) Lewandowski. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Omaha; six sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Marge Gross of Aurora, Al and Deb Gross of Grand Island, Pat Lewandowski of Ansley, Martin and Julie Lewandowski of Lincoln, Tony Lewandowski of Ansley and Roger Lewandowski of Omaha; and one daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Blake Wilson of Omaha; three sisters and three brothers-in-law, Esther Kaminski of Omaha, Donette and Douglas Holcomb of Arcadia, Margie and Richard Larimer of Billings, MT and Bud Owens of Arcadia; and one brother and two sisters-in-law, Dale and Marge Lewandowski of Loup City and Charlene Lewandowski of Loup City. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Fred attended several country schools and St. Josaphats's parochial school and graduated from Loup City High School in 1948. Growing up, Fred was active in sports, 4-H and FFA. He received numerous awards in 4-H with his livestock, competing at the State Fair with his sheep and in the tractor driving contest. He also played Legion baseball and Loup City town team baseball for many years. After graduating from high school he farmed with his father and then as a magazine salesman in several states. He served in the United States Army from Feb. 1952 to Nov. 1953 during the Korean War. He received numerous medals, including two Bronze Stars. Upon his discharge, he returned to farming and attended Veterans agriculture classes in Loup City. He was united in marriage to Marilyn A. Parker on Oct. 10, 1958, at Ord. The couple farmed in the Mason City area until 1977, when they moved to Ansley. He then worked for Gary Smith Construction until his retirement. He moved to the Grand Island Veterans Home in March 2009, where he lived the rest of his life. The family wishes to thank the Veterans Home staff for their excellent care. He was a member of the American Legion Post 48 of Loup City. Fred enjoyed golfing and loved playing ball with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Evelyn Janulewicz, Rozella Silver, Harriet Polski and Mary Ann Owens; and one brother, Carl Lewandowski. Memorials are suggested to the Lewandowski family.