Edward "Ed" Slabik

Edward “Ed" Slabik, 89, of Independence, died Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Gundersen Tri-County Care Center, Whitehall. Ed died peacefully with his wife Tina and their children by his side. Ed was born August 25, 1931 in Trempealeau County to Peter and Eleanor (Prokop) Slabik. He worked hard helping out on his family's small farm until he left for the Army during the Korean War. After he got out, he married Martina M. Woychik September 18, 1965 at Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence. They were married just shy of 55 years just five days short of his departure. He continued his occupation of truck driving that he started in the Army throughout the years driving for many different companies. He enjoyed it so much that even after he retired from Midwest Bottle Gas Company he drove school bus for Pape Bus Service for 15 years. He loved to collect old tractors and restore them. He enjoyed to travel and looked forward to his family reunions that took place every two years in different locations. His biggest love in life was his family. His door and dinner table were always open so they surrounded him often. Ed is survived by his wife, Martina of Independence; two daughters, Gail (Robert) Pietrek of Independence and Jane (Troy Hartman) Slabik of Onalaska; four grandchildren, Emma and Gabe Pietrek and Isabella and Lucy Hartman; two sisters, Jeanette Moen of Blair and Marlette Kunz of Whitehall; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence and Jerome Slabik and sister, Judy Conover. Ed will be thought of often and will be remembered for the good man he was. Mass of Christian burial (with COVID-19 guidelines) will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with Rev. Georgekutty Thayilkuzhithottu officiating. Burial, with military rites conducted by Sura-Wiersgalla American Legion Post 186, will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to mass. Guidelines for funeral Masses Peter and Paul Catholic Church Independence, Wisconsin Wearing a mask is strongly encouraged (Masks are available at the church entrance if you need one) + Please enter the church with proper social distancing through the west center doors (facing Hwy 93) + After signing the register book, please go to the right side and up the aisle to offer your condolences to the family. + You may only offer your condolences from a social distance. + Family members who live in your house may sit together. + All others must be seated 6 feet apart and only in open pews. Communion + Per Diocese of La Crosse guidelines: If receiving communion requires you to pass someone in your pew not in your household, then everyone seated in the pew should come forward. If those coming forward are not receiving Communion, they can simply signal by crossing their arms or pass by without approaching the priest of deacon. + Maintain proper social distancing at the end of Mass and walking out of the church to the grave. + Exiting the church after Mass will be through the elevator addition only. + Maintain proper social distancing while at the graveside service. + At this time there will be no funeral luncheons served in the church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward "Ed" Slabik, please visit our flower store.