Passed away on Feb 24, 2010

Arnold B. Konkol, age 85, of Black River Falls, died Wednesday, February 24, 2010 in Pine View Care Center. Arnie was born on June 24, 1924 in Black River Falls to Benedict and Frances (Reinke) Konkol. He graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1942. Following his high school graduation, Arnie served in the U.S. Navy and became a World War II veteran. He married Carol Girouard on June 2, 1947 and they later divorced. He married Gerry Abbott on August 3, 1985. Arnie was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for over 30 years and, at the time of his retirement, he was a rural mail carrier. He also sold Woodmen Accident and Life Insurance and was employed as a school bus driver. He enjoyed high school football and basketball, boxing, hunting, fishing, and golfing. Survivors include his wife, Gerry of Black River Falls; 2 daughters, Francie (Dan) Kahler of Onalaska and Mary Jo (Jamie) Slegel of Black River Falls; 4 sons, David (Peggy) of Kansas City, MO, Kurt (Karen) Konkol of DeForest, Kris (Marsha) Konkol of La Crosse, and Dale (Rosemary) Konkol of Paraguay, South America; a step-son, Mark (Laney) Abbott of Black River Falls; 11 grandchildren, Brett (Shannah) Schnur, Kris (Jodi) Konkol, Kim (Ryan) Blount, Gabrielle Konkol, Jacob Kernan, Paul (Sarah) Konkol, John (Holly) Konkol, Samuel Konkol, Sarah Konkol, Lili Konkol, and Elizabeth Konkol; a step-grandson, Joshua Johnson; 11 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Grace Olejniczak of Wausau and Jeannette Rudolph of Black River Falls; brothers-in-law, Tim (Sara) Abbott, Bob (Karen) Abbott, Terry (Barb) Abbott, and Danny (Tina) Abbott; sisters-in-law, Dorothea Konkol, Judy (Nelson) Rolon, Brenda Abbott, and Linda Laver; his mother-in-law, Barbara Abbott; and many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ben and Frances Konkol; a brother, Allen Konkol; and his father-in-law, Robert Abbott. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Black River Falls. Rev. Fr. John Steiner will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4 to 6 P.M. on Friday at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, where there will be a public prayer service at 6 P.M. There will also be a visitation at the church on Saturday from 10 A.M. until services. Memorials are preferred. The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com