Wally Bednarski passed away peacefully on April 27, 2024 after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Wally was born Wladyslaw Franciszek in Brussels, Belgium on September 26, 1945 to the late John and Maria (Bojczeiuk) Bednarski. The family moved to Venezuela, South America, where Wally grew up into his teen years. While there, he enjoyed life collecting different animals as pets, such as jaguars, condors, snakes, and rare fish. At a young age, Wally became interested in the medical field as he used to work with a doctor that was doing pathology research.
In 1959, his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. He graduated from Columbia Heights High School in 1964. One year later he was granted his U.S. citizenship changing his name to Wally. After serving in the US Army as a combat medic in Vietnam, Wally finished the remainder of his service at Fort Eustis, Virginia and Fort Snelling, Minnesota, working toward his medical degree. Wally went on to earn his lab tech certification in Minneapolis, where he met his future wife, Dawn Marie Stanzel.
On August 21, 1971, Wally and Dawn were married at St. Maron Catholic Church in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The newly married couple moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where Wally started his career as a pathologist for 20 years at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital. He would sometimes assist as an interpreter due to his ability to speak several languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Czech and Russian. Wally also worked as a CNA at Sheboygan Retirement Home for 25 years before retiring and moving to Green Bay.
Wally enjoyed fishing and was always chasing that elusive award-winning muskie. He enjoyed many types of dance such as Polka, Latin, and, as Wally would say: ‘Anything with a good beat.’ Other interests included football (Packers and Vikings), grilling, gardening, medical research, and most of all caring for his wife, Dawn, and providing for his family.
Wally is preceded in death by his parents, John and Maria Bednarski, mother and father in-law, Richard and Ethel Stanzel. He was also preceded in death by his sister in-law, Diane Stanzel. He is survived by his wife, Dawn Bednarski, daughters Lisa (Charles) Bagneski and Lori (Scott) Boesel and two grandchildren, Anna and William (Liam). Wally is also survived by his sister Rosita (James) Wilkus, sister in-law Donna (Felix) Ricco and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, extended family and numerous friends. Wally also has a half-sister in the Ukraine whose status is unknown at this time.
The family would like to thank Allouez Parkside Village and Moments Hospice for Wally’s care.
Visitation will be at Knollwood Memorial Park, 1500 State Hwy 310 in Manitowoc at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 9th with service at 11:00 a.m. in their chapel and then graveside to follow. In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org) in Wally’s memory. Online condolences may be left for Wally’s family at www.hansenfuneralservice.com.
