GWENDOLYN C. SZAFLARSKI

GWENDOLYN C. SZAFLARSKI

     Gwendolyn Szaflarski, 80, of Neillsville, WI, died Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the North Shore Healthcare facility in Marshfield, WI.

     Gwendolyn Celestine Serafinowicz was born April 6, 1944, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Theodore and Mary (Grobowy) Serafinowicz. She attended St. Mary of the Angels Grade School and Tuley High School, both in Chicago, IL. On Feb. 11, 1960, she was united in marriage to Robert Szaflarski in Clinton, IA. They lived in Chicago and Wood Dale, IL, before moving to Neillsville in 1975. Along with raising her family, Gwen was also the bookkeeper for her husband’s auto body repair business. Bob died Feb. 6, 2011, and Gwen moved to an apartment in town in 2019.

     She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Neillsville, and she was a volunteer at the Hospital Auxiliary in Neillsville. In her younger years, she and Bob enjoyed numerous trips to Las Vegas, NV, Orlando, FL, and Honolulu, HA. More recently, Gwen enjoyed doing gardening, caring for her rose bushes and jigsaw puzzles,

     She is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Tim) Brekke of Neillsville; grandchildren Lana (Aaron) Peterson of Marshfield, WI, Kenny Szaflarski of Marshfield, WI, Eric (Lindsey) Brekke of Fayetteville, GA, Brooke (Cole) Finch of Lexington, SC, Anna (Nick May) Brekke of Greenwood, WI, and Emily Brekke of La Crosse, WI; and great-grandchildren Anthony Peterson, Brinley Brekke, Hutson Brekke, Maisey Mae Finch, Nash Finch and Declan Brekke.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; a son, Kenneth; a grandson, Chad Szaflarski; a great-granddaughter, Rhettley Finch; a sister, Delphine; and two brothers, Ronnie and Bob.

     Funeral Services for Gwen will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Fr. Gregory Michaud will officiate. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Gesche Funeral Home. A livestream of Gwen’s funeral service can be viewed at www.geschefh.com beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.

     Pallbearers will be Eric Brekke, Tim Brekke, Cole Finch, Nick May and Aaron Peterson and Anthony Peterson.

     Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

     The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Gwen’s family with funeral arrangements.