Jon Tondryk

Jon Alan Tondryk, resident of Stoughton, WI, died from small cell carcinoma on September 4, 2014. Jon was born January 22, 1951, to the late Joseph Adam Tondryk and Lucille Lillian Joshua, in Milwaukee, WI. He graduated from the University of WI at Stevens Point with a BA in Psychology/Sociology. After graduating, Jon lived in Bay View, while helping his Dad run Bay View Printing. After that, he worked for the State of Wisconsin for 30 years. At first, he was a Manpower Specialist in Rhinelander, helping the unemployed find jobs. Later he served as Veterans' Assistant, and then moved to Central Office in Madison as an Information/Tech Specialist, doing Statewide training in computer reporting systems for Welfare Assistance Programs. His last post before he retired was Systems Leader for computer reporting systems for job programs.

Jon loved Wisconsin. He always lived in homes next to lakes or rivers where he enjoyed fishing year round. He learned to hunt from a friend in Edgerton and could be found in any weather hunting ducks or deer, always using them for food, not sport. He was an incredible gardener, accomplished at growing a huge number of vegetables and flowers in small spaces. A creative cook, he prepared delicious foods, particularly venison and beef sausages and traditional Polish dishes. At times in his life, he was a best friend and father figure for young men, sons of significant others in his life. He was a self-taught poet and painter, particularly of landscapes.

Jon leaves behind his sister, Joanne Tondryk White and her husband Ralph (West Hartford, CT), nephews, Christopher White and his wife, Meghan (Houston, TX), and Michael White and his wife Rachael (Brooklyn, NY) and their son and Jon's greatnephew, Clive Gordon White. He also leaves his step-mother, Marie Tondryk, and stepsisters, Kim Nedd and Pam Lierman. Cricket his black lab and Champagne his cat miss him greatly.

Jon fought a valiant battle against cancer and wishes to thank those who supported and cared for him over the past four years: Jeannie & Mick Holtan, Tom & Nancy Meier, Miti and Gloria Wongkit, Lori & Wendy Helley, Ken Rierson; Kacy, RN, Jean, PT, Stoughton Home Health Care; Drs. Terbrack and Patel, Stoughton Hospital; Dr. Frontiera and the cancer treatment team, Dean Clinic; Becky Kelly, Case Manager & Lisa Hanson, Meals on Wheels, Stoughton Senior Center; Richard Hoffman, RSVP Drivers; Renee, LPN, Michelle, Aide, Skaalen; Karen, SW, Sunny, Aide, Agrace Hospice. We are grateful for your care, compassion and friendship to Jon.

A Celebration of Remembrance of Jon's life will be at Cress Funeral Home, 206 W. Prospect St., Stoughton at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14. You are invited to wear your favorite camouflage hunting or fishing shirt or a bright color of your choice.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jon's memory, may be sent to Stoughton Home HealthCare, Stoughton Senior Center, or a charity of your choice.