Theodore “Ted” Kaminski

Theodore “Ted” Kaminski, age 75, of Weston, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston. Theodore was born in Rosholt on May 22, 1946, the son of the late Leo and Esther Kaminski (Wroblewski). At birth, Ted was 13 pounds and 23 inches long. As he would tell it, on the day he was born he was allowed to rest. The second day he was picking rocks in the potato fields, and on the third day he had his first duzy Point (for the non-Pollocks, that means a Big Point Beer). Ted attended St. Adalbert’s Catholic School and, after the ninth grade, left schooling to help on the farm. On April 17, 1971, he married Natalie Barbara Konkol at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Fancher. For the majority of his working career (over 30 years), he spent it “beating on those (expletive) tires.” In other words, he worked on tires. He worked for Brad Ragan and South Side Tire but also owned and operated Ted’s Tire Service for some time in Hatley, which is where he resided for nearly 35 years. Toward the end of his career, he worked for Pomp’s Tire Service before he finally had enough of the tires and worked as a maintenance man for Lemke Cheese (now Great Lakes Cheese) in Wausau. In addition, he always found time to chase a tornado, which coined him the name “Tornado Teddy.” Ted enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, Polka music and coffee, but most of all he loved talking with people and BS-ing. There was a charisma about Ted that drew everyone within listening distance toward him. He always had some sort of BS that could get you either questioning your own logic or be laughing so hard you had to walk away. Not only was he a member of the Hatley Chapter of the BS-ers Club, he was also president. Now we expect Vice President Bucky to resume his duties. Upon his quest for spreading BS, he ventured east to Elderon where he thought BS lacked — that is, until he met Steve and the Falstad Boys, who ultimately would prove that not only they had the attributes for being good BS-ers but also being great friends. There were many stories and laughs about his ventures with them on his trips to Montana or fishing and, of course, the Packer parties. Besides his friends, he also loved spending time with his family and loved nothing more than his children and grandchildren. Ted was so lucky to be able to spend his last few hours surrounded by family and friends laughing, joking, and BS-ing to the very end. Ted is survived by his children: Joseph Kaminski, Mosinee; Kenneth (Michelle A.) Kaminski, Hatley; Paul (Amanda) Kaminski, Rothschild; Deanna (Curt) Zinser, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Ryan (Rebecca) Kaminski, Elderon; his grandchildren: Kaley, Ashlee, Leeland, Austin, Olive and Opal; his brothers: Felix, Benny (Geraldine), Leonard and Michael; sisters Alice Rekowski, Marian Schultz, Celia (John) Konkol, Leona (Earl) Drefcinski; sister-in-law Jeanette Kaminski and brother-in-law Leroy Shulfer. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Natalie, an infant son Andrew, brother Andrew, sisters Grace Shulfer and Rosie Kaminski, brothers-in law James Schultz and Alfred Rekowski and sister-in-law Marilyn Kaminski. A special thanks to all of the doctors and nurses throughout the years who helped Ted through some difficult times before and after his surgery. There were many people that Ted had come across through the years, and many that were really good to him. You all earned a place in his heart, but no one had a bigger spot reserved in his heart than Tammy.