Roman R. Sarwas, 96, of Wittenberg, and formerly of Shawano, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, at Homme Home in Wittenberg. Roman
Richard Sarwas was born on Sept. 29, 1917, in Milwaukee to the late Maksim “Mike” and Victoria (Jermusik) Sarwas. In 1937 he graduated from West Milwaukee High School and then completed Wisconsin Business College in Milwaukee. Roman was united in marriage on Aug. 19, 1940, to Edith I. Sorensen in Milwaukee. He entered the U.S. Army and served stateside from 1945-1946. The couple loved to dance, especially to a polka, jitterbug or square dance.
Roman was employed for more than 20 years at Dairy Lane Dairy, Milwaukee, in sales, as a bookkeeper, and finally as manager. In 1962 he began working at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, as an insurance salesman until his retirement in 1982. After retirement, the couple moved to Legend Lake, where he especially enjoyed fishing and spending time with family. The couple also “wintered” in Apache Junction, Arizona. They settled in Shawano in the early 1990s, and his wife preceded him in death on Feb. 7, 2010.
Throughout his life, he began as a member of St. Anthony of Padua, Milwaukee, then St. Michael’s Church, Keshena, next as a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shawano, and his current ties were with St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Tigerton. Roman was active and is a former adjutant with American Legion Post 497 of Keshena. Roman’s interests included deer and duck hunting, family genealogy and completing difficult jigsaw puzzles. He was always very organized, liked to keep track of everything, and was always learning and studying. His words of wisdom for the secret of his longevity were, “Enjoy a good dance, a shot of brandy, and have a smile.”
Survivors include two children, Jacqueline Swanke, of Tigerton, and Roman Sarwas Jr. of Birch Bay, Washington. There are nine grandchildren: Bridget Swanke, Matthew (Jamie) Swanke, Michael (Julie) Swanke, Regan (Jenny Reddick) Sarwas, Shawn Sarwas, Katrina Sarwas, John (Kellie) Lemel, Charles Lemel and Stephanie (Shawn) Bohannan. There are 10 great-grandchildren: Edythe, Ivan, Audrey, Theo, Mali, Liam, Lucas, Emily, Austin and Jonah. There is one great-great grandson, Ryan. He is further survived by many other relatives and friends.
Roman was preceded in death by his wife, Edith; a son-in-law, Stephen Swanke; a brother, Michael; and three sisters, Bessie Thoms, Leona Lelinski and Leona’s infant twin, Helena. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Aug. 22, at 2 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Tigerton, with the Rev. Patrick Lloyd officiating. Friends may call on Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of the Mass at the church. A committal service will be held Friday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. at Union Cemetery, Tigerton. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery by members of American Legion Post 239 of Tigerton.
The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Tigerton, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent via www.beil-didier.com.
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