Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
MALVERN, Iowa - Andrew (Andy) Kaczmarek, 48, passed away on April 25, 2018, near Malvern.
Andrew (Andy) Martin Kaczmarek, one of four children of Stanley and Betty (Karling) Kaczmarek, was born on July 16, 1969, in Wakefield, Mich. He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1987. Andrew received a bachelor's degree in business from Michigan Technological University and a master's degree in public administration from Northern Michigan University.
Upon graduating with his master's degree, Col. Andy Kaczmarek received a direct commission into the U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corps in 1998. He has been stationed at numerous bases in five different major commands. Prior to his assignment at the 55th Medical Group, Offutt AFB, as the administrator, Andy was the commander of the Medical Support Squadron at the 10th Medical Group, U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. He also deployed to Bagram Air Base in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to Camp Victory, Baghdad, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Andy's military decorations include six Meritorious Service Medals, two Joint Service Commendation Medals and two Air Force Commendation Medals.
Andrew and Wendy Johnson were united in marriage on Aug. 17, 1991, in Ewen, Mich. The couple was blessed with three children, Katie, Jeffrey and Jay.
Andrew enjoyed bird hunting with his beloved dog, Addy, fly fishing and being outside working on his yard. He loved spending time with his wife and children, all who were his pride and joy. Andrew was a loving husband, an amazing dad, and a great friend to all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stan and Betty, as well as his father and mother-in-law, Lewis and Jean Johnson; and brother-in-law, Scott Johnson.
Andrew is survived by his wife, Wendy, of Malvern; children, Katie, Jeffrey and Jay; brother Stan Kaczmarek (Kelly); sisters Monica Kuchinski (Brian) and Angela Stengard (Garth); sisters-in-law Sharon Huhtala, Nancy Cook (Bruce), Colleen Britton (Albert), Rhonda Johnson-Leaf (Hank), and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, at the Offutt Air Force Base Catholic Church (Capehart Chapel) in Bellevue, Neb. Military honors and interment will be in the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha. Memorials are directed to the family.
Loess Hills Funeral Home (loesshillsfuneralhome.com) of Malvern is in charge of arrangements.