It is with sadness and relief that we saw Jack (Thumper) Bednar leave this earth on Friday, October 6th, 2023 in Rice Lake, WI. After bravely battling cancer, he passed away at home with his loving family by his side.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years Donna (Derousseau), four sons, Chad (Petra), Jon, Christopher (Shiana), Joel (Alicia) and his grandchildren, Josef, Lincoln, David, and Delilah. He is also survived by his sister Moe Hendricks and her husband, Jack’s fourth brother, Bob, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jack was born in Rice Lake on December 23, 1953, to John and Pamela Bednar. He grew up on a farm outside of Haugen with three brothers and a sister. Sadly, his 3 brothers, Michael, Jerry, and David, all preceded him in death as well as his sister Kathy, and parents Pamela and John. Jack attended the local Catholic school Holy Trinity and went on to Rice Lake high school graduating in 1972. In 1973, fresh out of high school, he started working on the pipeline. He went on to have a very successful career with the pipeline for the next 43 years, eventually retiring in 2016. Jack and Donna lived in Brill for 47 years and one of his simplest pleasures was going out in the morning and viewing the countryside around him. For most of his adult life he collected agates. First, with his brother David and then throughout all the later years with his boys and grandchildren. He could be seen in the Haugen gravel pit stooping down and looking for the gemstones he most coveted or spreading his latest findings amongst the gravel for his grandchildren to discover. Above all else, the greatest love of his life was his wife and family. He will long be remembered for the endearment of his wife, as he called her Donna Marie. He was proud of his son’s talents, skills, accomplishments, and the men they were becoming. He was entertained by the antics and humor of all his grandchildren. They all brought joy to his life. We will remember his infectious smile, his twinkly eyes, but above all else we will remember his kindness. His gentleness. As quoted by one of Jack’s son’s. “Life can be so amazing, but it will be less so without you in it dad.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon, Friday, October 13, 2023 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Haugen, WI, Father Isaiah Schick officiating, with interment in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Dobie, WI. Visitation will be held from 10AM-Noon Friday at the Church. Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the grandchildren’s future education.

Last Update: Oct 09, 2023 8:27 am CDT