Rudolph E. “Rudy” Konkol, 91
Rudolph E. “Rudy” Konkol, 91, of Stevens Point, formerly of Polonia, died Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at Harmony Assisted Living while under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice.
He was born on Dec. 24, 1921, in Amherst Junction, the son of the late Leo and Agnes (Kenowski) Konkol and attended school in Fancher and Amherst High School. On April 9, 1943, his marriage to Rita Maslowski took place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia. Rita died on April 2, 2010.
After completing high school, he worked for the Globe Co. as a machinist in Chicago. On Nov. 2, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army. After basic training, he went to the University of Florida for Non-Commissioned Officer School. He was then assigned to the 65th Infantry Division, 260th Infantry Regiment Co. A, where he served as a Platoon Leader under Gen. George Patton. At the time he went to combat in Germany, he was the youngest Platoon Sergeant to serve under the General.
On the month before his departure, he was selected as the Soldier of the Month in his division of over 3,000, for which he was awarded a $100 war bond.
Rudy was awarded the Purple Heart, Expert Rifleman Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Bronze Stars Badge. On May 2, 1945, he was wounded in the southern part of Germany and hospitalized for a month. He was honorably discharged, at the rank of Staff Sergeant, on Nov. 2, 1945.
He returned to work at the Globe Co. in Chicago as a machinist foreman until 1948. He then purchased a farm in the town of Sharon and was engaged in farming and home building until his retirement in 1979. In his retirement years, he was a land developer in the Polonia area.
Rudy was a member of the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post No. 185, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 30 and the Sacred Heart Holy Name and St. Isadore Society. He was also on the Sacred Heart Building Committee for some time.
He enjoyed, and was active in, golf, bowling, hunting, fishing and watching football and basketball.
Survivors include daughter, Sharon (John) Pionkowski of Stevens Point; son, Duane Konkol of Santa Ana, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Renette Konkol of Stevens Point; grandchildren, Dr. Tenille (Brian) Nowak of Stevens Point, Kelly (Chad) Molski of Stevens Point, and Kyle (Kristie) Konkol of LaCrosse; great-grandchildren, Brennan Molski, Alexandra Molski, Benjamin Konkol, JJ Konkol, Katie and Kristie Flisakowski; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Konkol, Virginia Stencel, Rosalie (Lester) Erdman and Irene (Lester) De Meyer.
Rudy was the last survivor of 11 children. In addition to his wife and parents, Rudy was preceded in death by his son, LeRoy; grandson, Keith Konkol; brothers and sisters, Stanely (Helen) Konkol, Wanda (Charles) Longley, Bernice (Raymond) Rogoski, Theodore (Bridget) Konkol, Alvin (Alice) Konkol, Bertha (Ed) Patoka, Susie (Raymond) Dzikoski, Eric Konkol, Pearl (Victor) Patoka and Victor (Ann) Konkol.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia with the Rev. Greg Michaud officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home, 703 Second St., Stevens Point, and again at the church on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time for Mass. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.