Paul J. Slowiak

Paul Joseph Slowiak, 86, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully holding the hand of his wife of 63 years, Barbara (Barbie), on October 16, 2025.

Born May 31, 1939, in the town of Taft, Wisconsin, the first-born child of Alexander and Sally (Blasczyk) Slowiak, he was welcomed into the Catholic Church at St. Mary's Czestochowa. His early years as an altar boy formed his devotion to living his Catholic faith.

Paul graduated from Stanley High School in 1957. He enlisted in the National Guard and spent time in Fort Lewis, Washington. He also worked at Ike Corporation and Thorp Flour and Feed Mill.

On September 29, 1962, he married his one and only, Barbie, in a morning mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Boyd, Wisconsin. They lived their sacred vows for the next 63 years, enjoying many celebrations, polka dancing, bowling, card and dice games, the Chicago Cubs, and in later years travel.

Paul and Barbara established their family farm in rural Thorp in 1972 and raised their family with their strong Catholic faith, farm work and much fun! Their home was a gathering place for family and friends. In 1999, after their children were grown, Paul and Barbara moved to Chippewa Falls, and Paul worked for the next 20 years at Menards. He spent his retirement years enjoying every moment with his family.

His legacy will continue through his family, survived by the love of his life, his wife, Barbara; his six children, Cheryl (Don) Breault, Susan Alger, Gary (Cindy) Slowiak, Shelly Slowiak-Kostick, Connie Zuber (Brad Schuster), and Kimberly (Eric) Soderberg. His twelve grandchildren, Caitlin (Joseph) Zatkoff, Clint (Sage) Abramczak, Brent (Keely) Alger, Nathan (Victoria) Alger, Erika (Justin) Moulton, Meghan (Jake) Kamenick, Brady (Keely) Slowiak, Brett (Ali Spindler) Slowiak, Alexis Zuber, and Emerson, Sophia and Juliette Soderberg. Twelve great-grandchildren, Ben and Max Zatkoff, Graham, William and Tatum Abramczak, Parks and Mila Alger, Savannah and Charlotte Alger, Jackson and Easton Moulton, and Madden Kamenick. He is further survived by his brothers, Donald (Elizabeth), Jerry (Pat), Kenneth (Barb), and Roger Slowiak; his sister, Mary Fitzsimmons; his sisters-in-law, Kathy Slowiak, Julie Ciolkosz, Dorothy and Rita Derks.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Carlee Abramczak; his son-in-law, Jerry Kostick; his parents; brother, Thomas Slowiak; brother-in-law, Clarence Fitzsimmons; his father and mother-in-law, John and Julia Derks; brothers and sisters-in-law, Leona and Wilbur France, Marie and Gordie Kelley, Evelyn and Jim Goettl, Anna and Cecil Swan, Francis and Pat Derks, John and Henry Derks.

Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, October 27, 2025, at 12:00 noon at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, with the Rite of Committal at Hope Cemetery immediately following the Mass with Military Honors Conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council. The family will receive visitors from 10AM until the time of service.

From his six children, thank you Dad, for the value of hard work and why it pays off, for faith, conversations, and especially love. We're so proud of you. A life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Children's Oncology Group Foundation (COGfoundation.org) in honor of Paul’s great-grandson, Jackson, as he continues his fight with childhood leukemia.