Frank Gutowsky

FRANK'S MEMORIES SHARED WITH CINDY:Frank (Spud) Gutowsky, Irons, Michigan, aged 96 and 7 months, went to be with his Lord on Friday, July 29, 2011, after a brief illness. He was born on the family farm, December 20, 1914 and he would also say “at 7:00 am on a Sunday morning”. The family owned a small dairy farm where all the siblings helped to work the farm – sharing chores – going to fetch the cows – pitching hay – planting the fields. They were and still are a close-knit family – worked hard and loved each other more. His quick wit and card playing skills won him many friends and much love and respect from his children and grandchildren who were all proud to call him dad and granddad. He was kind – modest – and had a quiet strength that we all admired.He attended District #6 Elk Township School – where there must have been super teachers because Spud could answer most Jeopardy questions – only missing the TV and movie questions as he did not care too much for TV and preferred to listen to good music like the Everly Brothers and Bing Crosby. He also did the cryptogram in the local paper every morning in record time. His mind was sharp till the end and would always tell a riddle or two – just for a laugh.Spud loved to hunt, trap, fish the Little Manistee River and local lakes, especially Pomeroy & Blue Gill Lake – and bring them home where Helen would fry them to world class perfection.Before the war, Spud was a farmer – went into the Army at age 28 and served proudly in WWII and overseas for 22 months – his basic training was at Fort Knox, KY, 12th Platoon, Company “A”. His brother Bill was already there and were so happy to see each other and got to go out and have a little fun before being shipped overseas. First shipped to Fort Ord, CA – next to Pittsburg and then San Francisco and shipped out from there. They were at sea 31 days - a lot of seasickness – mess hall was filled first day – then kept getting smaller till the end when only a handful of soldiers could eat and, of course Frank was one! They landed at Milne Bay – New Guinea – were there and fought 3 weeks and the land was secured. On to Las Negros Admiralty Islands – secure then on to Leyte Islands in the Philippines. Landed October 20, 1944 – was the rainy season and it rained for 60 days straight – would wear ponchos and at night make them into tents. Stayed till end of December – sent to Guadalcanal – had jungle rot – stayed in hospital to get better.When he was well went back to Philippines and rejoined outfit in Manila – still fighting going on. Went all over Manila until the atomic bomb dropped saving many soldiers’ life. Dropped on Hiroshima and then another one on Nagasaki. He was scheduled to his Japan before the A-Bombs went off – he probably would not have made it out without the bomb. Still went to Japan as they were ready to go August - till December 15th then back to the States – landed in Frisco. No rooms so had to stay on ship. Then to Angle Island. While in the States had tooth work done before he headed home – life was good - got paid – teeth done – good food then discharged February 1946 – then landed in Elk Tavern in Irons, MI. Back home to the place he loved – went back to farming – then got a job at Continental Motors. A friend asked him to drive him to put in a job app at General Motors – so dad put one in too. He got the job – friend didn’t. Worked 22 years at GM October 1953 till Aril 1975 – moved back to Irons after retiring. He worked in heat treat which was one of the most difficult jobs.After both going separate ways, Frank was reunited with the true love of his life, Helen. She had two daughters, Crystal and Cindy by a previous marriage and Frank accepted them as his very own. He and Helen exchanged wedding vows in irons on November 28, 1959. A match made in heaven. Frank was a wonderful husband and a great day, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved his home on the little Manistee. He built a foot bridge across the river and docks for children and grandchildren to enjoy. He made a bean bag game for them to play – and proudly painted MADE IN USA on the back side. They loved to go to Las Vegas with his sister Vicki & Fran and had many good times there. Later he loved playing cards at “The Little River”. “Let it Ride” was his favorite game and had a lot of good luck at it! Euchre was another favorite and he enjoyed playing cards with Ray and the gang at Oak Grove Tavern – and Babe and his buddies at the cabin on the river.He still loved the outdoors and hunted and fished well into his later years – he caught a nice mess of Bluegills down to his grandson Eddie’s house when he was 95!! He also loved to bowl and bowled at the Fun Spot on a league until it burned down – He was on a team called the “Old Timers” where he was the youngest member – and he outlived them all. He bowled 251 and said it would have been higher except he had a split in the tenth.Spud was a life member of VFW Baldwin Post 5315, Baldwin Amvets and Croton American Legion Post 381. He was a lifelong member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Irons, and a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Spud loved his brother and sisters and family was very important to him always. He loved to have a beer and share one with his friends – and said having a beer helped him have a long life. So here’s to you Dad may you rest in peace. You are our hero and will be missed so much. What a blessing you were to all of us. He will always be remembered and always with a smile.Spud would like to thank each and every one of you for being a special part of his life and not to grieve for him – but to enjoy your life and take time for family and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William (Julia) Gutowsky, and his sisters Margaret Ruba, Susie (Austin) Hausbeck, and Mary Gutowsky. Spud went into the arms of Jesus Friday, July 29th with his family by his side. He will be greatly missed by his wife and best friend of 51 years, Helen, his daughters Crystal Forster of St. Louis, MO, and Cindy (Ed) Folkertsma of Croton Dam, his beloved grandchildren Todd Forster, Kelly Forster, Bill Forster, Cindy Soest, Terry Forster, Eddie Folkertsma, and Kendra (Rob) Dodge; his precious great-grandchildren Brandon and Trenton Forster, Austin and Nicole Soest, and Emersyn and Dawson Dodge; his sisters Vicki Kasper of Irons, and Fran Schofield of California; his special niece Darlene Thomas of Irons, along with several other nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Frank at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 1 at the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Irons with Rev. Dennis O’Donnell as celebrant. Burial will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery in Irons. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Sunday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the church where a Wake service will be held for Frank at 7:30 PM. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the St. Bernard Catholic Church, or Munson Hospice.

Frank Gutowsky

December 20, 1914 - July 29, 2011