Clarence Kowalczyk

Clarence Kowalczyk, age 91, of Royalton, MN, passed away Saturday, December 01, 2012, at Diamond Assisted Living in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 6, 2012, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in North Prairie, MN, with Fr. Laurn Virnig officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2012, and 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 6, 2012 all at the church. There will be a Parish Prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church followed by the Kights of Columbus Office of the Dead at 7:30 p.m. Clarence was born on June 14, 1921 in Swan River Township, Morrison County, Minnesota the son of Albert & Pauline (Schwientek) Kowalczyk. He grew up on the farm in Swan River Township and attended country school through the eighth grade. He was united in marriage to LaVerne Aschenbrener on June 30, 1949, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in St. Cloud, MN. The couple made their home on the family farm in Swan River Township along the Mississippi River where they raised their family. Clarence has farmed all of his life in Swan River Township. He enjoyed spear fishing in the bay by the farm in his spare time. Clarence retired from farming in 1982, but came to the farm every day since then. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in North Prairie, the Knights of Columbus in Bowlus, and the Swan River Township Board where he served as a Fire Warden for 39 years. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, LaVerne of Royalton, MN; children, Ronald (Sue) Kowalczyk of Brainerd, MN, Richard (Lori) Kowalczyk of Royalton, MN, Kevin (Laura Poppen) Kowalczyk of Roylaton, MN, Larry (Beverly) Kowalczyk of Plymouth, MN, Daniel (Beth) Kowalzcyk of Royalton, MN, Joan (Randy) Swift of Crested Butte, CO, Mary (Tom) Wehe of Durango, CO, and Carol Kowalczyk of Sauk Rapids, MN; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ted Kowalczyk and Flo Kay.