Al R. Panowicz, 93, of rural Grand Island, died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at Good Samaritan Society-Wood River.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Resurrection Catholic Church. The Rev. Joseph Kadaprayil, the Rev. James C. Schmitt and the Rev. David L. Rykwalder will concelebrate the funeral mass assisted by Deacon John Willmes. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by the United Veteran Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Honor Team. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Al was born Nov. 10, 1924, at St. Paul. He was the son of Stanley and Victoria (Chelewski) Panowicz.

Survivors of his immediate family include his sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Patti Panowicz of Cairo, Jerry and Beth Panowicz of Overland Park, Kan., and Randy and Tammy Panowicz of Grand Island; daughters and son-in-law, Leanne and Rick Ely of Richmond, Va., and Sherry Panowicz of Grand Island; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Charlotte Harders of Grand Island, Ruby Harders of Wood River, Elaine Panowicz of Grand Island, Joyce and Tom Rainforth of Grand Island, Peggy and Bill Thomas of Wood River and Glenda and Arch Stittsworth of Grand Island.

Others left to cherish his memory include his grandchildren and their spouses, Bob Panowicz, John and Sarita Panowicz, Matt and Sarah Panowicz, John and Paola Ely, David and Lauren Ely, Hannah Ely and fiancé Joey Purvis, Colin Panowicz, Shayla Panowicz, Evan Panowicz and Emily Panowicz; and three great-grandchildren, Rylan, Annabelle and Emma Panowicz.

Al grew up on a farm by St. Paul before moving southeast of Cairo and later north of Grand Island. He helped his father with the family farm until entering the U.S. Navy on Dec. 21, 1944, serving in Hawaii until his honorable discharge on July 10, 1946. He returned to Grand Island, where he continued farming.

He married Evelyn D. Harders on Aug. 29, 1951, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. They settled and farmed east of Cairo, then moved and farmed west of Grand Island until they built their new home, where they farmed and continued to raise their family. Al was very proud of his new home and of the farms he developed.

Al loved farming, growing corn, welding and spending time in his shop. Al and his wife Evelyn also enjoyed polka dancing on Saturday evenings. Al continued his interest in farming until his passing.


Al especially loved his family and the time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and a charter member of Resurrection Catholic Church, where he and Evelyn were very active in many ministries. He was also a member of the Platte-Duetsche Society and Saddle Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn; a daughter, Patty Panowicz; a brother, Dan Panowicz; a sister, Leona Albright; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Francis Harders, Arnold and Glorene Harders, Delbert Harders, Leona and Jim Rauert and Dan Beck.