Niel Arnold Komisar

Niel Arnold Komisar, age 88, passed away peacefully at Dove Healthcare in Bloomer, Wisconsin, on December 4, 2022.

Niel was born to Leona and Henry Komisar on October 4, 1934, in Pepin, Wisconsin.

Niel completed nine years of schooling and after a few years, he joined the Army on May 12, 1953, and was sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky where he received his basic training. He then was sent to Fort Richardson, Alaska where he would be stationed. Niel became a motor officer, meaning, tank driver, steering his way around Alaska at one time with a General and “chasing” moose in the Alaskan wilderness as stories are told. Anyone that heard the tale, knows there was “more to the story!”  He earned a Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal and was released from active duty on May 11, 1956. He was then transferred to the Army Reserves where he would complete his 8-year service.

Niel met Margaret Marie Zaddach and after some courtship time, became his loving wife on September 25, 1953, making a wonderful life of 69 years. They had three children, Neal (Corky), Toni, and Sherry.  His work allowed him to provide many trips with his family from California to Florida, exploring most of the states in between. Niel was involved in many archery leagues and performed before audiences with his skillful techniques.  He also enjoyed league bowling and scored a few perfect games. 

He started work at McLouth Steel on May 15, 1956. Niel advanced in his workplace achieving multiple-level positions. He was a bulldozer operator, worked in the blast furnace, oxygen processing comcast, which is melting steel, and then received his journeyman's card as a millwright. He was a hard-working man managing many double and triple shifts to make sure his family had what was needed. Niel retired from the steel mill on April 30, 1987. 

Niel is survived by his wife, Marge, their 3 children, Neal (Corky), Toni (Robert) Westberg, and Sherry (Warren) Perkins. Grandchildren – Connie (Seth) Henninger, Rachel Westberg, Mitchell (Bridget) Westberg, Mindi Westberg, Nicole (Thomas) Hullender, Christopher (Rachel) Perkins, Great Grandchildren – Caleb, Alyssa, Isabelle, and Olivia Henninger, Spencer Turkall, Colton Westberg, Rylee, and Damian Rank, Brody and Paxton Nelson, Kayla, Tyler, and Chloe Hullender, and Sophie, Aaron, and Adelynn Perkins; brother - Ronald (Sue) Komisar, and sisters – Virgie (Mike) Kanerva, Nickie Crain, and longtime family friends – Jim and Dolly Baker.  His heavenly family – Father, Henry Komisar, and Mother, Leona Schall. 

Visitation will be on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 12:00 pm at Dovre Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Wisconsin followed by his Celebration of Life service at 1:00 pm.  Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Pepin, Wisconsin to be held at a later date.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.

The family would like those who were interested in purchasing a Tribute Book or planting a tree to instead send their sympathies with a floral arrangement for the service or to share a memory or condolence on the tribute wall.  

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