Andrew L. Gavlek
Andrew L. “Andy” Gavlek, 85, Escanaba, Mich., a Stevens Point native and brother of a Plover woman, died unexpectedly Friday, April 22, 2016, at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, Mich.
Visitation followed by military rites by the Delta Veteran’s Council will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at Skradski Faily Funeral Home in Escanaba, Mich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at St. Joseph St. Patrick Church in Escanaba, Mich., with the Rev. Eric Olson officiating. Burial will be in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells, Mich.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Holy Name
Scholarship Fund.
Condolences may be offered online
www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.
Mr. Gavlek was born Sept. 19, 1930, in Stevens Point, a son
of the late Andrew A. and Genevieve (Zurawski) Gawlik. He was raised in Stevens
Point and was a 1948 graduate of P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1948 and served as
a corpsman during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in October 1952.
While in service, he received the Navy Occupation Service Medal with European
Clasp.
Following his discharge, he worked at the Green Bay Box
Factory before enrolling at Alexian Brothers School of Nursing where he
received a nursing degree in 1958.
He was married to Marlene D. Johnson Oct. 25, 1958, in
Chicago, Ill.
He continued his education by enrolling in the anesthesia
program through St. Mary’s Hospital in Wausau, where he received his CRNA
licensure in 1959.
From 1959 to 1965, he was employed as a nurse anesthetist at
St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. He then transferred to St. Francis Hospital
in Escanaba, Mich., where he remained until his retirement.
He was a member of the Escanaba American Legion Post 82.
Survivors include his wife, Marlene; two sons, Andrew J.
(Mary) Gavlek, Escanaba, Mich., and Thomas A. Gavlek, Utah; three daughters,
Diane (Brent) Ferree, Waterford, Mich., Catherine Gavlek, Clayton, N.C., and Nancy
Gavlek, Escanaba, Mich.; two sisters, Marilyn (Richard) Simonis, Neenah, and Patricia
Rutta, Plover; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one sister, Margaret
Kirsling.