Obit: Hmielak, Robert J. (1939- 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hmielak, Jenness

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 8/05/2021

Hmielak, Robert J. (1 September 1939 – 3 August 2021) With Flag

On Tuesday, August 3, 2021, Robert John Hmielak passed away in his sleep at home.

Born on September 1, 1939, “Bob” grew up on the farm that his father and grandfather owned in the Thorp, countryside. He attended Sterling country school, then Thorp High School. After graduation, he joined the US Air Force working as an electronic navigation equipment maintenance technician for 4 years. He was then hired by Bendix Radio as a service technician on Johnston Island and later, lived in Minneapolis taking lessons to earn a commercial pilot’s license.

On September 17, 1965, Bob married Nancy Lou Jenness and they moved to Oxnard, California where he again worked for Bendix Radio. The next year, they moved back to Thorp and bought his family’s dairy farm since his father was too ill to continue operating it. There they raised a daughter and three sons. Besides the long days of milking cows twice a day, raising crops, and fixing machinery, Bob found time to volunteer. He was on the Clark County Board of Supervisors, serving on a few committees, was Reseburg township constable, and a member of the Thorp School Board of Education.

After Bob retired from farming in 1997, he worked at Grassland Dairy Products. He also became very active in the Thorp American Legion, serving as Commander, janitor, and bartender, sometimes all three at once. He rarely missed a parade, memorial or fundraiser that involved the Legionnaires. He also volunteered with Thorp School’s Future Farmers of America and Alumni and on City of Thorp committees.

He was preceded in death by his father, John and his mother, Helen. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his four siblings - Jane, Josephine, Patricia and Raymond, his four children - Kirsten, Thad, Ryan and Jamie (twins), four grandchildren - Holden, Mason, Calli, and Devrim, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Bob will be missed by all his family and many friends for his big smile, amiable nature, and passion for doing what’s right - whether in farming, education or his community.

Visitation will be Monday, August 9, 2021 - 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Thorp Funeral Home and
110 W. School Street, Thorp, WI 54771. Services will be Tuesday, August 10, 2021 - 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church 111 North Church Street, Thorp, WI 54771

All welcome to lunch after Services and Burial at Thorp American Legion 500 N Washington Street, Thorp, WI 54771.