Otto J. Krainik, age 98, formerly of 9003 Polifka Rd., Whitelaw, died Monday, February 22, 1993, at Shady Lane Home Manitowoc, where he was a resident for two years.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at 11 AM from the Saur Funeral Home, Kellnersville. Pastor John R. White will officiate with burial to be at the Kossuth National Cemetery in the Town of Kossuth, with Military Graveside Rites accorded by the American Legion Drews-Blesser Post No. 88.
Otto's parents had immigrated from Czechoslovakia and settled in Manitowoc County. He was born May 26, 1894 on the home farm in the Town of Kossuth, son of the late Wencil and Anna Cherney Krainik. He was the 2nd oldest of 12 children of which four are still living. What changes he witnessed in a lifetime, from the "horse and buggy and kerosene lamp era" to space age technology. Many are the stories he used to tell of his younger days, the hardships of the long winters where in the mornings the family would wake to find snow on top of their feather ticks they slept under, or that water in the reservoir of the kitchen stove had a thin coating of ice on it. He spoke of the long hot days of summer working with thrashing crews, of walking to school in all kinds of weather often carrying meager lunches (bread with lard on it) because the times were hard. He also spoke of the unpolluted rivers, lakes and streams and the tranquility of the countryside. In winter he said the only tracks over the snow covered fields were made by deer, rabbits, quail and other wild game not by the "throttle happy snowmobilers". He was a great sportsman enjoying hunting and fishing. He often spoke of the pranks they pulled as kids, and the fun they had at dances, of the horse and buggy getting home before they did. (Explain that one!) Otto was a private in the U.S. Army 6th Company 161st Depot Brigade serving during World War I from 1918-1919. At the age of 25 on May 8, 1920, he was married to the former Clara Cizek. They were married for 61 years and observed their 60th wedding anniversary in 1980. Three children were born of the union of which two survived childhood. The couple enjoyed music and Otto played the violin while Clara played the piano or the organ. Together the couple were members of the Maribel-Kellnersville Senior Citizens. He was a member for over 60 years of the American Legion Drews Bleser Post No. 88 of Manitowoc. Clara had preceded him in death on December 31, 1981. Otto was a carpenter by trade and also was a farmer. Long were the hours he put in those days to make ends meet.
Otto's survivors include his two daughters and one son-in-law, Evelyn Wordell, rural Two Rivers, and Myvanwy and Richard Franz, Mishicot; thirteen grandchildren; twenty seven great grandchildren; one step great grandchild and one great great grandson; his brother and his wife, Ernest and Edith Krajnik, Francis Creek; one sister-in-law, Viola Krainik, Francis Creek; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Alvina Pagel, Manitowoc, Ellen and Dr. Ralph Petersen, Manitowoc, and Ann Siebert, Calif. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends survive. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Rudolph, a son-in-law, Robert Wordell, four brothers, and three sisters.
Friends and family may call at the Saur Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. and on Thursday until the time of services. The family suggest that memorials be made to the charity of your choice.
Herald Times Reporter, February 24, 1993
Contributor: Keri (49116696) • [email protected]