Harry James Zaleski

Harry Zaleski, age 95, of Granton, WI died Sunday, January 13, 2019, surrounded by his loving family, in the palliative care unit of Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, WI.   Harry James Zaleski was born on July 4, 1923, in Stratford, WI the son of Walter and Lottie (Gawlikowski) Zaleski. He attended school in Little Rose and then worked on the family farm and at Gateway Lumber Company in Chili, WI. On September 7, 1953, he was united in marriage to Mildred Hartmann at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratford, WI. In 1954, they purchased the hardware store in Granton and operated it as Harry’s Hardware until their retirement in 1988, when it was sold. Mildred died on October 7, 1993, and Harry continued living in Granton.   Harry loved baseball and was an acclaimed baseball player. He was a natural at shortstop. He enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and golfing. Harry was a longtime member of the Neillsville Country Club, and at age 75, he recorded his first and only hole-in-one. He loved attending his family’s sporting events and he enjoyed playing cards at the Hilltop. Harry was a strong supporter of Granton area events, and in 1989, he and Mildred were named Granton Citizens of the Year.   He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville, WI, and was on the church board for St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Chili. He was also a member of the board of directors for the Citizens State Bank in Loyal, WI for 22 years, a board member for the Village of Granton, a board member for American Legion Baseball, and a longtime member of the Granton Rotary.   He is survived by six children, Douglas (Linda) Zaleski of Muncie, IN, Dean (Nancy) Zaleski of Eau Claire, WI, Diane (Raymond) Jonas of Marshfield, WI, Donna Zaleski of Marshfield, WI, Darrel (Kimberly) Zaleski of Eau Claire, WI, and Darrin (Laura) Zaleski of Suwanee, GA, 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.   He was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers Casimer, Chester, John, and Benjamin and sisters Kostanta Omilean, Stella Knoll, Genevieve Mahoney, and Monica Fedak.   A Mass of Christian Burial for Harry will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 19, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville. The Celebrant will be Rev. Varkey V. Joseph. Music will be provided by Vicente Cortez and St. Mary’s Choir. Interment will be in the Windfall Cemetery in Granton. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and from 9:30 until Mass time Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.   Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons Jason, Jamie, Cole and Trevor Zaleski, and Jeremy and Joshua Jonas.   Harry’s family would like to thank the physicians and staff at Marshfield Medical Center for their compassionate care during his hospital stay.   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the family who will be giving a donation, in Harry’s name, to the Granton High School Athletic Department and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Neillsville, WI.   Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.   The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Harry’s family with funeral arrangements.