Frank M. Kratowicz

May 29, 1925 - January 01, 2012

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 1919-54^th Street.  Relatives and friends are asked to meet at the church for the Mass.  Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Casimir Cemetery. 

A visitation will be held at the funeral home, 3720 39th Avenue on Friday, January 6^th from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Frank M. Kratowicz, age 86, of Bristol, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at his residence.

Born on May 29, 1925 in Kenosha, he was the son of the late Zygmund and Pauline (Bortko) Kratowicz. 

Frank honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II from September 13, 1943 until January 22, 1946.  While enlisted, he received numerous commendations including the Asiatic-Pacific Theater service medal with two bronze stars, the Philippine Liberation ribbon with one bronze star and three overseas service bars.

For 33 years, Frank was employed as a school photographer with National School Studios Inc/Lifetouch Inc. as a district manager.  It was there where he met and married the love of his life, Irene McClellan.  They were married in her hometown church in Menomonie, WI, on June 26, 1965.  They were married 43 years before she passed away on July 10, 2008.

Over the years as a photographer, Frank felt fortunate to photograph generations of families that passed through his Chicago and suburban territory.  Prior to becoming a photographer, his passion for dancing also gave him the opportunity to be a dance instructor for the Arthur Murray Dance Studios. 

He was a member of the former St. Casimir Catholic church where he served as President of the Parish Council and he was currently an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church where he was a lector and server.  Frank was also a member of the PLAV James Smelcer Post #34, served as past Commander of the American Legion Post #1229 in Chicago and was a member of the Lifetouch Alumni Club.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, bird watching and gardening.  Frank also loved to cook and spend time at his cabin in Presque Isle, WI where he has a street named in his honor, "Kratowicz Dr." 

He will be deeply missed by his son, Thomas (Sue) of Kenosha; three daughters, Christine (Bob) Kroll of Neenah, WI, Pauline (Randy) Ortloff of Kenosha and Ann Kratowicz of Hartland, WI; a brother, Ernest (Sally) of Kenosha; a sister, Marianne Kratowicz of Kenosha; seven grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Kyle, Jared, Jason and Riley Kroll and Ashley, Emily and John Ortloff.  Frank was also survived by numerous loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence in infancy and Chester Kratowicz.