Ervin Stanley Gorka, age 91, born April 25, 1926 passed away July 4, 2017 surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ervin will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday July 10, 2017 at St. Adalbert Catholic Church in Rosholt. Rev. Jeffery Hennes will officiate. Friends and family will gather to share memories from 9:00 - 10:45 am before the Mass at the church. Burial with full military honors will be performed at the parish cemetery.

Ervin was one of 10 children. He married Stella Babiak on July 2, 1955. Stella passed away Dec. 27, 2008.

Ervin was a very proud World War II Veteran. He served from August 1944 and was honorably discharged in August 1946, serving in the Aleutian Islands. In 2013, Ervin traveled with the Honor Flight to Washington D.C and treasured the memories.

Ervin was definitely not afraid to try new things. He owned a farm in Wausau from May 1957 to March 1964. After selling the farm, Ervin purchased Club UNO Tavern in Bear Creek, WI. He and Stella operated the bar for seven years. He then moved his family to Lake Helen in the Rosholt, WI area. During this time Ervin worked at the FWD Corporation in Clintonville, WI. He operated a punch press for 24 years helping build fire trucks. We all enjoyed many years at the lake before Ervin and Stella purchased a home in Plover, WI. Ervin moved to Rothschild in 2014 to be near his daughter, Sharon and son-in-law Tom. He very much enjoyed the welcoming community at Cedar Creek Senior Apartments where he was a resident until his passing.

Ervin is survived by his children; Susan (Brian) Baldwin, Pinconning, MI, Arnold Gorka, Tampa, FL, Sharon (Thomas) Osowski, Kronenwetter. Four Grandchildren; Brenda (Chad) Held, Tommy (Lindsey) Osowski, Sarah (Eric) Ritter, and Adam Flees. Four great grandchildren; Lea, Teylar, Mya Ritter, Montgomery Held, and baby Held due in September. He is further survived by four sisters-in-law; Eleanor Gorka, Julia Zinda, Carol Sondelski, Lillian Babiak, and many nieces and nephews.

Ervin was preceded in death by his wife, Stella, son, Marvin, and his parents, Joseph and Anna Gorka, and stepmother, Josie. Ervin is also preceded in death by his three sisters; Ceil, Helen and Frannie, and six brothers; John, Martin, Frank, Norbert, Hank and Andrew.

Ervin loved his family very much and was proud of all his children. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He never missed listening to polkas on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and always looked forward to attending the area church picnics with his daughter Sharon to listen to more polkas! He was an avid Packer fan and enjoyed watching all the games on TV.

Ervin was a very sweet, kind, man with a great sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.