Dale Wayne Wozniak

Dale Wayne Wozniak, 81, passed away on February 23 rd at Mayo Clinic Chippewa Valley, Bloomer, after a several year battle with complications from carbon monoxide poisoning. Dale was born June 9, 1932 in Palis Park, IL, to Frank and Merrow (Mathias) Wozniak.

He lived and worked on the family farm, and some other places, until joining the Illinois National Guard in 1950.  From there he enlisted in the Army in 1951.  He was stationed at Walter Reed Medical Center, in Washington DC, where he drove ambulance and counseled injured Veterans returning from Korea.  Dale then served in Korea as a Medic and Motor Pool Sergeant.  He was also stationed with the United Nations Military Armistice Commission on the 38 th Parallel.  His unit received the Merit Unit Citation.  He was discharged from the Army Reserves in 1960. Dale married Betty Schultz on November 11, 1954 in Blue Island, IL.

While living in IL, Dale was an OTR truck driver.  Owned a trucking business that specialized in oversized loads and hazardous materials.  Later he worked for Best Transport.  He also tended bar while not running his business.  His wife Betty and him provided support for over 50 foster children in Illinois. Upon moving to Wisconsin he was employed at Farm and Fleet, Rice Lake, in the Small Engine repair department.  Had his own small engine repair business for many years.  He performed lawn care around the Island Chain of Lakes through summer of 2013.

Dale was a 32 nd Degree Mason with the Bloomer Masonic Lodge  281 and a member of the Scottish Rite of the Eau Claire Valley. Dale was a Life member of AMVETS.  He helped reestablish an AMVETS Post in Chetek, Post 25.  Served as 1 st Vice Commander and Commander there.  The Department of Wisconsin approached him about starting a Post in Ladysmith, so he established AMVETS Vacho Lybert Post127 there.  He served as Commander and later Financial Officer. Dale is also a past AMVETS District 1 Commander.  Served on Wisconsin Member Recruitment Committee.  He a  was a Charter member, 2 nd Vice and Treasurer of District 1 AMVETS Riders.

He was a Life Member of VFW.  Dale was a past member of VFW Post 10331 in Chetek.  Served as Housing Committee Chair, Service Officer  and 2 nd Vice Commander. Current member of VFW Post 2490 Ladysmith. Dale was a life member, active volunteer and past Commander of the Veterans Memorial Association in Ladysmith.

Past President and Life Member of Buck Lake Sportsman’s Club.  Past Wildlife Restoration Association Board member.  Maintained HWY 40 Fish Rearing Ponds for many years.  Fish stocking was an important past part of the WRA.  Dale spent endless hours collecting and stocking fish in area lakes in addition to numerous other WRA projects.  Rusk County Waters Alliance Board Member and volunteer.  Trainer in Citizen Lake Monitoring and Citizen Stream Monitoring. Dale also spent time volunteering at the Connections store in Ladysmith. Past member of Rusk Riders ATV Club. Past Rusk County Representative for ABATE.  Share the Road Instructor. Assisted in the formation of the Potato Lake Association. Past President and member of Neighborly Snogoers, helped establish and maintained snowmobile trails.

Dale was never just a member of an organization, he was an active member.  Every organization he was a member of held great meaning to him and his time spent on projects reflected this. Recipient of WEAU Sunshine Award.  2011 Rusk County Community Foundation Heart of Gold Recipient.

Dale enjoyed helping others and anything outdoors.  Veterans held a special place in his heart.  Donated many items to YWAM Northwoods.  He often did significant favors for neighbors and expected nothing in return.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, especially ice fishing. He also had a way with all animals, domestic or wild and would do anything he could to help them.  He had the utmost respect for Native American culture and lived his later life to reflect those beliefs.

Dales legacy lives on through special companion, Beth Bettenhausen of Island Lake, Sons Michael (Debbie) of Ankara Turkey/Palmdale CA, Allan (Iris) of Rice Lake, Paul (Lora) of Nashua NH, and Bruce (Jenny) of Cumberland, daughter, Lauren of rural Weyerhaeuser, special foster son, Doug of rural Weyerhaeuser.  Grandchildren Sarah, Becky, Heidi, Tara, Paul, Katarina, Spencer, Adrial, and Haley. Great-grandchildren Kyle, Avary, Emilie, Lane, Emmett, Ellis. Brother Richard ( Kathy ) of La Porte IN, sister Carol Fryer of Michigan City  IN, Special Niece, Linda (Rick) Adamson of Hickory Hills, IL. and many other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Merrrow, wife Betty, sisters Lois Paluszkiewicz, Verona Evans and Regina Cure.

Visitation will be on Saturday, March 8 th from 1:00-2:00 PM. at Burnham Ours Funeral Home in Chetek, Masonic and Military Services will be held at 2:00 PM with Mr. Bruce Wozniak officiating.  There will be a time for remembrance at the Veterans Memorial Association, 605 Summit St., Ladysmith at 1:00 PM on Sunday, March 9 th .  Internment to take place on Monday, March 10 th , 1:00 PM, at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery, with Lac Courte Oreilles Spiritual Leader Gary Quaderer officiating.  Military Honors provided by AMVETS Post 1998, Hayward, and VFW Post  2490 of Ladysmith.

Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.