Leon Petraszak

Leon Andrew Petraszak, 86, a life-long Berlin community member and business owner, died peacefully at ThedaCare Appleton Medical Center on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, surrounded by family, after a 10-year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease and other health issues. Leon was born on November 16, 1937 to Gertrude (Disterhaft) and Andrew Petraszak. He proudly graduated from Berlin High School in 1955 and shared fond memories of playing football with friends. His football team was inducted into the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018 and was a life-long supporter of the BHS Alumni Association. He married his beautiful bride, Elaine (Bradley) Petraszak on June 22, 1956 at St. Michael’s Church in Berlin. Leon & Elaine did live in Madison and Appleton for a short period of time, but returned to Leon’s beloved Big Island Road in the Town of Seneca and resided at the Petraszak Homestead for the last 26 years. Leon had no grass growing under his feet as he was always busy working, from his early career as a union excavating operator for Central Contracting and then as a self-employed business owner of Petraszak & Sons Excavating. Leon never claimed to be perfect and often pondered in later years whether or not he did “life” right and sought comfort at weekly mass, even on the Sunday before he passed away, making sure to inform the altar kids that he too was an altar boy many years ago. He belonged to the Catholic Knights of Columbus and cherished socializing with many other community members. During their 2 weeks short of 67 years of marriage, Leon and Elaine raised 7 successful children, who all value the importance of family and hard work. Leon enjoyed many years of working, camping, traveling to many US states and other countries, spending winters in Florida for 20 years, hunting all sorts of wildlife, fishing, woodworking, working on his family genealogy and spending time with family and friends at social events, holidays and family reunions. He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law (Clara [Klotzbuecher] Bradley); his 4 brothers-in-law (Mike Eggleston, Brian Flanagan, Gary Freund & Sam Bradley); 2 sisters-in-law (Marilyn Bradley Freund and Sharon Roberts Bradley. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Petraszak; 7 children: David (Linda) Petraszak, Dean (Karen) Petraszak, Diane Agrell, Doug Petraszak, Darla (Mike) Blank, Donna (Rich) McMartin and Dan (Holly) Petraszak; 18 grandchildren: Garett (Sydney Todd) Petraszak, Dan (Cindy) Wheaton, Missy (Rich) Himmelman, Andy (Megan) Petraszak, Josh (Theresa) Petraszak, Jason (Kerby Berger) Agrell, Chris (Abby) Agrell, Jenni (Andrew) Wendt, Rachel Petraszak, Gretchen (Michael Vitt) Petraszak, Samuel Petraszak, Paul (Sara) Blank, Kevin Blank, Julia (Codey) Sauer, Richie (Rebecca Mularski) McMartin, Emily (Tyler) Schubert, Addison Petraszak & Owen Petraszak; and 19 great grandchildren: Steele, Douglas, Layla, Abby, Hailey, Ashley (Zak), Alex, Andrew, Gabriel, Blake, Kenleigh, Brooks, Myla, Lily, Levi, Luca, Leo, Oakley, Jayce and more on the way. He is also survived by his sister (Virginia Petraszak Eggleston) and sister-in-law (Beatrice Bradley Flanagan); nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends. Alzheimer’s Poem Do not ask me to remember Do not try to make me understand. Let me rest and know you’re with me. Kiss my cheek and hold my hand. I’m confused beyond your concept. I am sad and sick and lost. All I know is that I need you to be with me at all cost. Do not lose your patience with me. Do no scold or curse my cry. I can’t help the way I’m acting, Can’t be different though I try. Just remember that I need you, That the best of me is gone. Please don’t fail to stand beside me, Love me till my life is done. -Owen Darnell Thank you to Patriot Place staff, ThedaCare Berlin staff and ThedaCare Appleton staff for the excellent care and kindness shown to Leon and our family.

Leon Petraszak

November 16, 1937 - June 11, 2024