Frank A. Binkowski
"At first, the angels stood behind his bed guarding his every breath. As his breath began to fade, the angels hovered above him, gently lifting his spirit in the heavenly hands of God.”
Frank A. Binkowski, age 75, of Elmwood, WI, passed away on Wednesday December 10, 2014 from Parkinsons and Lewy Body Dementia. He had been a resident of Neighbors of Dunn Co. in Menomonie for one year.
Frank was born in Elmwood on Jan. 25, 1939 to Anthony and Arcella (Schroeder) Binkowski. He was a life-long resident of Elmwood. On April 25, 1964, he married Judy K. Halvorson of Boyceville, WI. Frank and Judy had three sons, Brian, Brent, and Brock Binkowski.
After graduating from Elmwood High School in 1957, he served in the U.S. Army for three years. His working career consisted of twenty-six years as a banker, followed by surveyor for Ogden Engineering, real estate broker, and twenty years as a rural carrier for the Spring Valley U.S. Post Office.
Frank served several years as an Elmwood Village Board Member, at one time as Village President. Additionally in Elmwood, he was a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and a part time Police Officer and Boy Scout leader, and part time Reserve Sheriff Deputy for Pierce Co.
Throughout his life, Frank enjoyed fishing and attending gun shows with his brother, Tony. He also enjoyed spending time with his friend, Frank Ogden, at the hunting shack.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his infant daughter, Elizabeth Ann, and two brothers, Fr. James and Leo Binkowski.
He is survived by Judy, his wife of fifty years, his three sons, Brian (Cyndy) Binkowski of Hammond, WI, Brent (Shanda Stengel) of Carlsbad, CA, and Dr. Brock (Dr. Brooke) Binkowski of Sauk City, WI. Frank also is survived by his four grandsons, Derek and Devin (Hammond, WI), and Kai and Koen (Sauk City, WI.)
Additional survivors are his siblings, Mary Lou (John), Joan, Dorothy, Carol (Greg), Mark, and Tony (Marge.) He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and his sister-in-law Diane (Dale) Nichols.
Judy and her sons wish to give special thanks to Tony for his faithful visits to Frank, and to Tony and Marge for their continued support and love to Judy throughout this difficult time.
We also wish to thank the staff at Eastbrook Manor for their wonderful care of Frank during his time as a resident there.
At Frank's request, a private memorial service will be held for the immediate family, served by the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie.
"I farmed the land, I tramped the woods. These are the things I understood. No grand schemes that passed me by. I knew the brook, the hills, the sky. To hunt a deer, to wet a line. Gifts from God so good and fine. Friend and kin, I loved them so. Although I’m gone, I’m sure they know. I’m now at peace, life’s battle done. I’ve faced the foes and I have won. “, Author unknown.