Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-02-04
DEATH CALLS z
STURGEON MEN
Joseph Waleski, 70, Resi-
dent for 81 Years Quits
Lies Cares.
Leon Jurek, 68, P asse S
After Forty-three Years
of Residence.

Two of Sturgeon Lakes pioneers
passed away and were laid to rest on
the same day, Monday, Feb. 2, with
funerals being held from the Catho-
lie church in that village. Their
bodies were laid at rest in the Stur-
geon Lake cemetery near the scene
of their labors.
The first to leave his loved ones
and the scene of his many worth
while labors was Joseph Waleski, one
of the earliest pioneers Of the Stur-
geon Lake community on Wednesday
Of last week, at his home after long
illness which had kept him in bed
for the past six months.
Joseph Waleski PASSED away at the
age of seventy-nine years. He was
born in Germany on December 6,
1852. He was married in the country
of his birth and emigrated to the
United States in 1870. The first ten
years of his residence in this coun-
try was spent in New York City, Bal
timore, Maryland and Chicago. In
1870 he and his family arrived at
Sturgeon Lake and settled on a tract
of land two miles west Of the present
village of Sturgeon Lake. Out of this
wild piece of land he titled farm
and resided on it for nearly half
century. That farm was sold in 1915
and Mr.. and Mrs. Waleski moved into
the village and built little home
near the Catholic church, where they
have resided since.
Mr. and Mrs. Waleski had twelve
children born to them. Six of those
children preceded Mr. Waleski in
death. Besides the widow. those sur
viving are, Joe and Stanley Waleski.
of Grand Rapids; Mrs. Ted Vobejda
OF Cass Lake; Mrs. Pearl Nesbit of
Toledo, Ohio Mrs. Betty Arneson, De-
troit, Mich; and Mrs. Henry Smith.
of Sturgeon Lake. All were present
at the funeral except Mrs. ArnesOn.
Toney, Martin, Fife, and Katie passed
away when the family lived at Chi
cago, John died at Baltimore, and
Paul was killed at Deer River when
a tree fell on him while he was work
ing in the woods.
Mr.. Waleski was active in church
and civic affairs. He was connected
with the church administration as
cashier for twelve years. He served
on the village council as alderman
for several terms and his participa-
ton in village affairs was marked
with thoughtful consideration for the
interests of the community.
The funeral was held from st. Isa-
doris Polish Catholic church Monday
at a. m. The Rev. Father Sengir,
of Duluth, officiated.
The active pallbearers were Tony
Cheslak, Matt Magdiacz, Joe Betka,
ROch Ejorek, John Sturgeleski and
Joe Tomczak.
Interment was made in the Polish
Catholic cemetery.
In addition to the children others
from out of town who came to attend
the funeral were Mrs. NJ. ]. Szymczak
of Superior, Ted Vobejd of Cass Lake,
Henry and Chester Smith of Superior,
Wis.
Mr.. Waleski had a host of friends
in this community who attended the
funeral to pay their last respects to
the memory of the deceased.
Leon Jurek.
Leon Jurek, pioneer settler of Sur
geon Lake, was the second to die
and passed away at his home on Fri
day, Jan. 90, after lingering illness
of many months.
The deceased came to Sturgeon
Lake forty-three years ago and home
steaded some land three miles west
of town. In addition to farming this
land he spent much time custom saw
ing and threshing.
He was born in Poland on the third
of April, 1864, and he immigrated
to this country when young man.
Leon Jurek was very active in the
township and school affairs in his
community. He served as treasurer
of the Sturgeon Lake township for
many years and was town supervisor
at the time of his death. He also
held offices in his local school dis
trict until illness made it necessary
for him to resign.
The deceased was survived by his
wife, Anna Jurek, four daughters,
four sons and nineteen grandchildren.
All of the children were present at
the funeral. They are Mrs. Wanda
Bloomgren of Minneapolis; Mrs. Mary
Szymczak of Duluth; Stella Jurek of
st. Paul; Agnes Mankowski of Duluth;
and Joe, William and Bernard OF
Sturgeon Lake, and Raymond Of Min
neapolis.
The funeral was held from the st.
Isadors Polish Catholic church Mon
day, with Father Majas of Willow
River, officiating. The Polish GENE
terry was the last resting place.