Pater R. Filipiak

Peter Filipiak, age 87, of Hawkins, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 6, 2026, at Care & Rehab - Ladysmith, surrounded by his loving family.

Peter was born on May 2, 1938, in the Township of Aurora to Peter and Anna (Nesterick) Filipiak. His family later moved to the Gilman area, where he was raised on the family farm and shared many special adventures with his brother, Bill. From an early age, Peter had a love of learning and community, which began during his time at Maple Leaf Elementary School. He later graduated from Gilman High School with the Class of 1956, where he met the love of his life, Patricia.

Peter and Patricia Godfrey were united in marriage on January 18, 1958. Together they made their home in Hawkins, where they raised their three children: Scott, Kent, and Susan.

Peter dedicated more than four decades of his professional life to the telecommunications industry. He began his career in 1958 with the Arnold Telephone Company (rural Gilman area), serving the local community at a time when reliable communication was essential to rural life. Through years of industry growth and transition, he remained committed to providing dependable service, eventually retiring in 1999 as District Manager for CenturyTel. His work ethic, leadership, and steady presence earned him the respect of colleagues and the trust of the communities he served.

He also served as a Hawkins firefighter and EMT, was an active member of the Lions Club, and served as a devoted member of the United Methodist Church in Hawkins from 1961 until its closing in 2014. He gave his time and energy and compassion in faithful service to the church and its community

Peter found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He cherished time spent in his woods, especially during hunting seasons with family and friends, and took great pride in making maple syrup each spring. A loyal Wisconsin sports fan, he enjoyed following the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Wisconsin Badgers. He also loved lively card games with the entire family—including his great‑grandchildren—and was well known for overbidding and boldly shooting for the moon, often to everyone’s amusement.

Family vacations were among his favorite memories, including fifth‑wheel trips to Alaska, Texas, Colorado, and several other states as well as a special trip to Hawaii that included visits to Pearl Harbor and the lower gallery of the USS Missouri. Above all, he treasured time spent with his kids and attending his grandchildren’s and great‑grandchildren’s school events, sporting activities, graduations, and weddings.

An outgoing and caring man of strong faith, Peter consistently put others before himself. He was known for his generosity and willingness to help anyone in need. He deeply loved his family—especially his grandchildren and great‑grandchildren—and was truly a blessing to all who knew him. Peter also served as a devoted caregiver for his brother, Richard, for many years, embracing that role with patience, love, and quiet devotion.

Peter is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sons, Scott (Laurie) Filipiak of Woodville and Kent Filipiak of Hudson; and his daughter, Susan (Don) Bouzard of Hudson. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and twenty‑two great‑grandchildren: Heather (Rob) Brackle and their children Jaxon, Beau, and Saylor; Brittany (Eric) Antonietti and their children Ava and Cruz; Chelsey (Will) Leitzke and their children Milo, Mabel, Harlan, and Bonnie; Haley (Conner) Avery and their children Vyla and Hugh; Jacob (Elizabeth) Filipiak and daughter Senora; Ben (Brittney) Filipiak and daughters Kylie, Aliyah, Lillian, and Emma; Matt (Samantha) Filipiak and children Bella, Thias, Izzy, and Jed; Zach (Haley) Filipiak and sons Liam and Barrett; as well as Rachel and Hannah.

Peter is also survived by his sisters, Eleanor Almos of Northfield, Minnesota, and Alice (Herb) Deuel of Chippewa Falls; his sister‑in‑law, Jan (Bill) Filipiak of Hudson; and his brother‑in‑law, Bill (Rosemary) Godfrey of Exeland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Anna Filipiak; his brothers, William and Richard Filipiak; his sisters, Dorothy Filipiak and Florence Pawlik; and his brothers‑in‑law, Kurt Almos, Joe Pawlik, and Herb Deuel.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 11, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Hawkins. Visitation will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. A celebration of life and luncheon will follow at Tom’s Way to Go in Hawkins.

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.