Alfred P. Pientok

Alfred Pientok, 98, lndependence, Wis., departed this life on April 8, 2021. Alfred was born to Peter and Martha (Bautch) Pientok April 8,1923. After graduating from Independence High School In 1941, AI enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was in the service from September 20th ,1945 until November 10th, 1946 which included a tour of duty in China. Al was proud of his lifetime membership at the American Legion Post 186 lndependence, Wis. Upon his return from service AI, along with his brother, LaVerne helped run the family's construction business. Eventually both sons took over the Peter Pientok Construction Company from their father and within a few years also established the Tri-City Sanitation business. His marriage to Belva Kleppen took place at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, lndependence, Wis. on May 8th, 1950. After his retirement, Al became a connoisseur of making homemade sauerkraut, horseradish, and wine. He lovingly passed on his technique and recipes to his children and grandchildren to carry on the family tradition. Always proud of his Polish heritage he was forever quick with a joke or story about his ancestry. He is preceded in death by his wife Belva on April 13th, 2007; his parents; sister & brother-in law, Monica and Andrew Dejno Sr. and sister-in-law Mary Pientok. Alfred is survived by his children Joan (Jim) Gunderson of Eau Claire, Wis., Gene (Lana) Pientok of Whitehall, Wis., Judy (Edward) Fisher of DeForest, Wis., and Jerry (Debbie) Pientok of Eau Claire, Wis.; brother, LaVerne Pientok Whitehall, Wis. Grandpa Al is also survived by grandchildren; Scott (Sadie) Gunderson, Grant (Stacy) Gunderson, Jeremiah (Melissa) Pientok, Tyler (Shawna) Pientok, Yolanda (Eliot) Green, Nathan Pientok, and Matthew Pientok; great grandchildren, Piper, Felicity and Etta Belle Gunderson, Asher and Easton Gunderson, McKenna, Mason and Max Pientok, and Teagan, Kellen and Kendall Pientok. Mass of Christian Burial (with COVID-19 guidelines) will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with Rev. George Thayilkuzhithottu officiating. Burial, with military rites, will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to Mass. Mass may be viewed on SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School Facebook Live. Moxe on Znajduja enternal pokpj I excptance. COVID-19 guidelines for the Mass 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 watch Alfred's Funeral Mass: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=927379657835278 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alfred P. Pientok, please visit our flower store.