Frederick J. Firkus, 74

It is with a heavy heart that we say “Goodbye” and “See you later” to Frederick J. Firkus, a beloved father and husband who passed away peacefully at home Monday, July 13, 2026, with his family by his side after battling gastric cancer.

Fred was born Nov. 4, 1951, in Stevens Point, the son of Ervin and Lorraine (Raschka) Firkus. Born and raised in Stevens Point, Fred attended St. Stan’s Elementary School and P.J. Jacobs High School. In Fred’s early years, he could be found working the family farm, skipping school to go fishing or being mischievous with his childhood friends.

On April 10, 1976, Fred married his lifelong partner, Marion “Mary” Kirschling, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia. They built their forever home not far from Fred’s homestead on Brilowski Road. Several years later, they welcomed their daughter, Sarah, where they made memories as a family of three. This past April, they were blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary together.

Fred worked for local companies including Stuczynski Trucking and Plover River Farms, but his most cherished work was as a union pipe layer that took him throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota, working for companies such as Barbarosa and Super Excavators.

Fred enjoyed many things in life. He could be found ice fishing on McDill Pond for bluegills or, in the spring, fishing for suckers at Jordan Park with his good buddy, Morey. If you knew Fred, you knew he took great pride in his yard and garden. Every year he would say he was making the garden smaller, but we all knew that was not going to be the case. So many people were blessed to eat from his garden as he enjoyed sharing his plentiful vegetables. Fred was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. Even in the days before his passing, the TV was on with the Brewers in the background.

Nothing brought Fred greater pride and joy than the time spent with his grandson, Mason, who was the sparkle in his eye and the beat of his heart. They were an inseparable pair. If they were not riding around on the four-wheelers or putting up trail cameras in the swamp to keep an eye on the deer, they were busy doing other “projects.” For several years, Fred helped Mason plant, maintain and harvest beautiful pumpkins that Mason would sell to friends and family. Those pumpkins were talked about all year long because they were so perfect. When Mason was old enough to start hunting, he and Fred would spend hours together sitting in the stand waiting for the deer to come or in a blind waiting for that perfect turkey to strut in front of them.

Fred leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Marion; his daughter, Sarah (Kerry) Konkol; his grandsons, Gary, Matt and Mason Konkol; and his grand-pup, Luna. He is further survived by his siblings, James Firkus, Ronald (Linda) Firkus and Barbara Flynn; his in-laws, Elaine Vanzumeren, Dianna Rzentkowski, Donald Kirschling and Deborah (Greg) Van Dreel; a sister-in-law, Diane Kirschling; his godchildren, Ryan Firkus, Michael Kizewski and Grace Schilling; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Lorraine; his in-laws, Frank, Irene and Hildegard Kirschling; his brothers-in-law, John Kirschling, Richard Vanzumeren, Peter Tracenna, Richard Rzentkowski, Ronald Kluck and Greg Flynn; and sisters-in-law, Betty Kluck, Kathleen Firkus and Joan Kirschling.

Fred wanted his life celebrated. Therefore, a celebration of life will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. at Connor’s Jordan Bar in Stevens Point. The family invites all to come and share memories and stories with them.

For those wishing to express their sympathies, the family kindly requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the family. Fred wanted to support his grandson, Mason; therefore, any gifts will be split between Mason’s post-high school education and his passion for trap shooting. Furthermore, a donation in Fred’s honor will be made to the SPASH Trapshooting Club to continue supporting the organization.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heartland Hospice, who did a wonderful job helping take care of Fred and his family during this difficult time. They would also like to thank the staff at Marshfield Medical Center’s Oncology Department in Stevens Point for the care they provided and all the family and friends who reached out and offered a hand, a hug and so many prayers. We wouldn’t have gotten through this time without each and every one of you.