Edward W. ‘Oz’ Osmolak, 85, Burlington, died Aug. 21, 2014, at his home in the loving presence of his family, after a long battle with bone cancer.
He was born to the late Joseph and Josephine (Ozimkiewicz) Osmolak on Oct. 13, 1928, in Chicago. He graduated in 1946 from Foreman High School in Chicago and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17. He was proud to have served as a driver for General Omar Bradley. He was a driving instructor who taught soldiers how to drive the DUCKS. He maintained a lifelong love of driving.
After his military service, he attended Technical School. He owned and operated his own business, Osmolak Floors, for 39-1/2 years where he worked as a flooring contractor, refinishing floors and setting tiles.
He married the love of his life, Nancy Poole, on Jan. 7, 1950, and together during their 64-year marriage they raised four children.
He loved to travel and drove across the United States with Nancy. They were proud to say that they not only visited all 50 states, but went to every state capital along with four points of interest in each state. Their passion for travel also took them to many European countries as well as Australia and New Zealand. In addition to traveling, woodworking was a favorite pastime of his and as a younger man he enjoyed golfing.
He was a very service-oriented person and his Catholic Faith was very important to him. He was a longtime member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. For 41 years, on the first Saturday of every month, he and Nancy were volunteer drivers for the Apostolate of the Handicapped in Chicago. This organization offered ecumenical services to those who could not leave their homes on their own. He served as a past president of this organization.
Ed was a member of the American Legion Post 79 in Burlington, the Knights of Columbus, and Men of Christ. He had developed blindness later in life and was active in two organizations in support of this. He was a lifetime member of the Blinded Veterans Association of Wisconsin and served as a state board member of the organization. He was a supporter of Camp American Legion, which was a visually impaired veteran activity.
Survivors include his wife; children, Gale (Al) Ahrens, Michael (Alice) Osmolak, Jeff (Debbie) Osmolak; grandchildren, Corrine Ahrens, Daniel (Stacy) Ahrens, Katie (Adam) Barsophy, Jonathan and Joseph Osmolak, Ryan Osmolak, Megan (Kellen) Beauchesne, Rachel Osmolak; and great-granddaughter on the way.
He was further preceded in death by his son, David, and his siblings.
It was Edward’s wish to have his body donated to science in the hopes that he could further medical science and perhaps have a part in saving the life of his loved ones someday.
Visitation is is Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at noon, followed by full military honors, at St. Charles Borromeo Church. The Rev. Jim Volkert will officiate. Miller-Reesman Funeral Home, Union Grove, is serving the family.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the very special Home Care from the Union Grove VA Clinic, the staff from Allay Home Hospice and the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center for their kind and compassionate care of Ed in his final days.
Donations have been suggested to the organizations that Ed held close to his heart, VetsRoll. Org and Camp American Legion.
Well-wishers can visit miller-reeseman.com.
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