William E. "Bill" Gregoski, Sr.

William E. “Bill” Gregoski, Sr., 77, of St. Paul, died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Ray Kosmicki will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service and Knights of Columbus rosary. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Gregoski was born on Aug. 10, 1935, at Elyria, the oldest son of Anton Leon and Constance (Shimek) Gregoski. He was united in marriage to Emily Waskowiak on Jan. 24, 1959, in Loup City. He is survived by his wife, Emily of St. Paul; three daughters and sons-in-law, Betty and Marvin Poss of Elba, Kathy and Kevin Carson of Burwell and Patty and Dale Labenz of Columbus; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Cheryl Gregoski of Elba and Bill Jr. and Mary Gregoski of St. Paul; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, John and Barbara Gregoski of Sanford, NC, Anthony Gregoski of Elba and Francis and Tara Gregoski of Kearney; and one sister, Alice Lilly of Wood River. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Bill attended North Loup and Arcadia country school and graduated from District No. 35 near Cotesfield, walking across the hills to attend country school. As a young man he worked construction, drove semi-trucks and farmed with his mother. He was instrumental in the construction of Sherman Dam, of which he took great pride and joy. After his marriage to Emily, the couple made their home on a farm northwest of Dannevirke. To this union five children were born: Elizabeth, Robert, Kathryn, William Jr. and Patricia. In the Fall of 1990, the couple retired from the farm and moved into St. Paul. He then worked at the St. Paul Co-op Grain Association and was a custodian at St. Paul Public Schools before his retirement. He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus Council No. 1918 of St. Paul where he was a former Grand Knight and was also a former District Deputy; he also served on the Cotesfield Elevator Board, Elba Rural Fire Department Board, ASCS Board, and the Elba School board for 20 years, having been the school board President for 12 years. He enjoyed camping at Sherman Dam, his grandchildren, playing the accordion, polka music and having coffee at Pump & Pantry. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Roger Wysocki. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital or to the family's choice.