George Koscielak

George R. Koscielak, 81, died June 13, 2008 at the Kavanagh House on 56th St. The body will be cremated. Memorial visitation with the family will be on Monday, June 16, 2008 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th St. from 6 to 8 p.m.
George was born in Des Moines, IA on Dec. 13, 1926 to Joseph P. Koscielak and Elizabeth A. (Sojka) Koscielak. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Dec., 1944.
On Feb 26, 1945 he entered into service in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Manilla, Philippines and Toyoko, Japan. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Tech Sergeant on Dec. 11, 1946.
After military service he attended watchmaker school in Denver, CO. He interned in LaMars, IA. After his graduation, he worked as a watchmaker in Estherville and Armstrong, IA.
On Aug. 13, 1950 he married Edna J. Nelson in Primghar, IA. He moved back to Des Moines in 1953. He worked as a watchmaker and fireman. He started working for the Postal Service in 1954 and retired with 32 years of service as a letter carrier in 1986.
George enjoyed many hobbies. He was a former member of the Des Moines Scuba Club and the Des Moines Rose Society. He continued to repair watches for friends and family in his spare time. As an amateur photographer he developed his own pictures in a darkroom he built. He was a dedicated runner. At age 51 he entered and finished the Drake marathon. He was an avid fisherman and spent every summer at his cabin on Island Lake near Duluth, MN.
He is survived by his wife Edna of Des Moines, 3 children: Janet M. Haag, McCook, NE, Susan J. Koscielak, Des Moines, IA, John P. Koscielak (Karlene) Pengilly, MN, 7 grandchildren: Amy Vrbas (David), Grand Island, NE, Emily Haag, Lincoln, NE, Daniel Haag, Omaha, NE, Jacob
P. Haag, Ft. Riley, KS, Joseph P. Koscielak, St. Louis Park, MN, Jessica Koscielak, Newport, MN, Kaylee Koscielak, Duluth, MN; one great grandchild: Jack P. Vrbas, Grand Island, NE; 2 sisters: Margaret ( Kenneth) Kottmeier, Aurora, CO, Delores (Edward) Pagliai, Des Moines, IA; brother-in-law Wayne Nelson (Della), Hartley, IA; sister-in-law Vera Krom, Davis, CA; six nephews and two nieces.
He loved and was loved. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa, the Kavanagh House, 900 56th St. Des Moines, IA 50312 or the Alzheimer’s Association.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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