Clifford F. Bembenek, 83
Clifford F. Bembenek, age 83, of Stevens Point, died Friday, April 16, 2021, at his residence.
Clifford was born on January 14, 1938, in the Town of Sharon at North Star. He was the son of Anton and Regina (Zinda) Bembenek. He attended Edison Rural Grade School in Ellis and graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School in Polonia. He graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School, Stevens Point in 1956.
Clifford joined the United States Air Force in October 1956. He took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas. In June 1957, he was stationed at Evarux Air Force Base in France for three years. He received an honorable discharge in June of 1960, at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey.
He owned and operated a milk route for one year.
Clifford married his grade-school sweetheart Pauline Kedrowicz on June 16, 1962, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia. They settled on Brilowski Road where they lived for 59 years. Clifford and Pauline owned and operated Bembenek’s Ponyland on Skerbeck Shows from 1963-65.
Clifford worked in several capacities in the construction trade. He began as a laborer for L.G. Arnold and Ellis Stone. He joined the carpenters in October of 1969 when he worked for Ellis Stone, The Hoffman Company, and other construction companies. In 1976 he started in the millwright trade working for Oscar J. Boldt, Lunda Construction, C.R. Meyer, P.G. Miron, Consolidated Papers, working primarily in the paper mills and powerhouses in Wisconsin and Mid-West areas. He went on to serve as a Business Agent for the carpenters and millwrights in the central and western parts of the state. Clifford also served in various office positions in the Carpenters Local Union 1919 and Millwrights Local Union 1056.
Clifford was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish for 59 years. He served on the Parish Council for several years, working on renovation projects for the church in many areas. He was a member of the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) Polonia Post 185 for 50 years and had served as past treasurer of the organization.
Clifford served on the Portage County Board as vice Chairman on the Law Enforcement, Highway, and planning & Zoning Committees.
Family was most important to Clifford and he enjoyed sharing time with all of them. One of the times of enjoyment was taking his five grandsons “Up North” fishing, boating, and swimming. He also loved riding his Harley through the mountains in the Western States with the love of his life, Pauline.
Clifford also loved hunting, fishing, cooking, the Green Bay Packers, sharing conversations with family and friends, and teaching his grandsons Polish.
Clifford is survived by his wife, Pauline, and children; Jacqueline (Kevin Kluck) of Waxahachie, Texas; Dale (Nicki) their sons Michael and Jacob of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; Scott (Lisa McKee) their sons Dylan, Luke, and Zachary of Stevens Point; his brother Melvin (Vaneese) Bembenek of Stevens Point.
Thank you to all the doctors involved in Clifford’s care. A special thank you to Renee and Christine, at Aspirus Oncology, Lisa and Tanya at Heartland Hospice, and Ronda for her help.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia. Rev. Alan Guanella will officiate. Burial with full military honors will take place in the Parish cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. concluding with a rosary prayed at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the Pisarski Funeral Home at 703 Second St. in Stevens Point. Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family.
For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
