Alphonse Wolak - 88

Foley, Minnesota

June 13, 1923 - July 16, 2011

Alphonse Wolak, age 88, of Foley, MN, died Saturday, July 16, 2011 at the VA Medical Center, St. Cloud, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Gilman, MN. The Rev. Aaron Kuhn will officiate. Burial with Military Honors provided by the Foley American Legion, Post 298 will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN.

Friends may call from after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the church in Gilman. Arrangements were made by the Foley Funeral Home, Foley, MN.

Alphonse Wolak was born June 13, 1923 in Granite Ledge Township, Benton Co., MN to John and Frances (Smelter) Wolak. He was a Staff Sargent in the Army Air Corps and was an Arial Gunner with the 2nd Air Division, 752 Bombardier Squadron in WWII. Alphonse was a POW at Stalag 13 in Germany and earned a Purple Heart, Distinguished Cross and several other medals. He married Mary K. DeZeller on June 27, 1950 at St. John's Catholic Church, Foley. After their marriage the couple farmed and raised 11 children in Granite Ledge Township. He worked for Franklin Manufacturing for many years. He was a life member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Alphonse loved hunting, fishing, reading and watching the world news.

He is survived by his sons and daughters; Michael (Kathy), Sauk Rapids, MN; Linda (Jeff) Lefler, Foley, MN; Dennis (Noel), St. Cloud, MN; Sue (Glen) Hansen, Clear Lake, MN; Rose Andresen, Goodland, MN; Jean (Stafford) Thompson; Elwood, NE; David (Mary), Grand Rapids, MN; Cynthia (David) Stellmach, Milaca, MN; James, Foley, MN; Tom (Lisa), Foley, MN; Richard, Foley, MN, sisters; Angeline Woolhouse and Frances Heffron, 26 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary K., May 19, 2010, an infant daughter, Joan, brothers and sisters; Henry, Alex, Joseph, Josephine, Victor and Selma Potter.