Charles J. Kumzak 1906 - 1996

KUMZAK, SOVA, CURTIS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 1/14/2021 at 10:57:34

Sioux City Journal
10 December 1996

Charles J. Kumzak

Charles J. Kumzak, 90, of Sioux City died Saturday, Dec. 7, 1996, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be at 11 a.m. to day at the Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev, John Meyer officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Kumzak was born Aug. 10, 1906, in Bijou Hills, S.D., the son of Charles J. Sr. and Christina (Sova) Kumzak. He moved, with his family, to Milford, Iowa, where he graduated from Milford High School. He then attended Northwestern University in Chicago for one year, then attended Morningside College receiving his bachelor of science degree in engineering.

He married Dottie Curtis on Aug. 15, 1929, in South Sioux City. The couple made their home in Sioux City, He was a police officer with the Sioux City Police Department for 37 years and was a Captain for 20 years, retiring in 1971. He then worked for Adam Paint where he refinished old master paintings and built custom picture frames. At 16, he was recognized at the Worlds Fair in Chicago for his artistic ability and was named the "Youngest Master Painter" in the United States.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and received the Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Kumzak was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served as chairman of the property committee for 10 years. He was First Aid instructor for the Red Cross for 25 years, a 32nd degree Mason of the Riverside Lodge 662 A.F. & A.M., a member of the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple, the Retired Policemen's Association, and the American Legion, Monahan Post 64.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Donna Wilson of Oelwein, Iowa; a brother and his wife, Rollie and Dorothy of Hayward, Calif.; three grandchildren, Kip and Brad Wilson, and Cathy Wilson-Worrall; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank and Joe; and a sister, Christine Kumzak.

A memorial in his name has been established for Trinity Lutheran Church.