Norman Leo “Norm” Dombrowski, 75, Stevens Point, the leader of a well-known local polka band, died Thursday, March 7.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter Catholic Church, with the Rev. Arul Joseph V. and Rev. Chester Osowski officiating. Burial will be in the Guardian Angel Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church and at the church Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the Mass. The Knights of Columbus will combine with a general rosary at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
A memorial will be established at a later date.
Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home assisted with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
Mr. Dombrowski was born Sept. 9, 1937, in the town of Stockton, a son of the late Leo and Philomen (Patoka) Dombrowski. He received his baptism, first communion and confirmation at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Fancher. He attended first through third grade at Liberty Corner School, and fourth grade at St. Mary of Mount Carmel School. In sixth grade he moved to Stevens Point and attended St. Peter Catholic School. He graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School class of 1956 with perfect attendance award for all four years. He then graduated from Mid-State Technical College in Wausau.
He was married to Lucille “Marlene” Osowski on Nov. 12, 1960, at St. Ladislaus Church in Bevent.
He worked for the Bureau of Engineering in Madison, and then transferred to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in Wisconsin Rapids, retiring after 42 years. He received a recognition award for public relations from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
He began his polka legacy playing drums in 1957. In 1960 he helped form the Happy Notes orchestra and continued to perform until the present time. He was selected to perform in Washington, D.C., for the Smithsonian and Wisconsin Sesquicentennial. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame.
He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Stevens Point, the Knights of Columbus and the Loyal Order of the Moose.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Mark, Jon (Shawn), and Joe (Lori) all of Stevens Point; two daughters Marie (Mark Monte) Kubowski, and Jane (Mark) Wisinski, both of Stevens Point; four sisters, Nancy Walkush, Waupaca, MaryAnn (Dave) Drefcinski, JoAnn (Ken) Scheidt, and Carol (Fritz) Menzel, all of Stevens Point; three brothers, Bob (Janet), Las Vegas, Nev., Chet (Mary), Stevens Point, and Bill (Sue), Davis, Calif.; and 12 grandchildren.
