Marie L. Woychik
Marie Lillian Woychik, 95, a life-long resident of Whitehall, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Friday, August 26, 2022, at Gunderson Tri-County Care Center in Whitehall.
She was born May 6, 1927, in rural Whitehall, to Edward J. and Martina (Kamla) Sosalla. Marie was a 1945 graduate of Whitehall Memorial High School. After high school, she attended St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in La Crosse to become a Registered Nurse. Marie graduated in 1948, and then worked for three years at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse on the orthopedic floor where she even took care of her father after a he had taken a fall on the farm. Over the next 53 years, she worked at Whitehall Community Hospital & Tri-County Memorial Hospital, Whitehall. From 1972 – 1978, she was also a Deputy Coroner in Trempealeau County. In 2004, she retired after celebrating 56 years as a nurse. After retirement, Marie volunteered at the hospital as an auxiliary member.
In 1951, Marie married Edmund F. Woychik of Independence. They were married at St John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall where they were founding members and the first couple to be married there. They were married 43 years and had four children.
Marie was always busy (no grass ever grew at her feet) and very devoted to her family and faith. She enjoyed traveling, always up for a game of playing cards; an excellent cook and was well known for baking Polish coffee cakes for family, friends and events.
One of her favorite TV game shows was “The Price is Right” and in November 2000, on a trip to California, she was selected to “come on down” to contestant row. Unfortunately, she didn’t get on stage, but she had a wonderful time seeing Bob Barker close-up! In 2002, she was awarded the Whitehall Lions Club Citizen-of-the-Year for her service in the community.
Survivors include four children: Jeanne (Jerry) Pollock of FL, James P. (Mary) of rural Arcadia, Joan of Savage, MN, Robert of Savage, MN; three grandsons: Damian Rudegeair, PA; James F. (Corona) Woychik, Onalaska; Andrew J. Woychik, Trempealeau; great-granddaughter, Meredith Woychik, Onalaska; sister, Anne (Donald) Gilbert, La Crosse; sisters-in-law: Rosemary (Benedict) Sosalla, Collette (Adolph) Sosalla; and many nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edmund; brothers: Benedict R. Sosalla, Adolph J. Sosalla; brother-in-law, Donald (Anne) Gilbert; nephews: John E. Sosalla and infant Sosalla; and great-nephew, Dustin G. Sosalla.
The family would like to thank everyone at Gundersen Tri-County Care Center and St. Croix Hospice for their exemplary care and support they gave her while she was a resident there.
A mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, September 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at St. John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall. Father George Thayilkuzhihottu officiated. Family and friends were welcomed to the visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the beginning of mass. Interment followed at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in Independence.
In lieu of flowers the family will be taking donations in her memory for the following: Frederickson Park Fund, Masses or area senior going into nursing.
