Daryl Edward Bzdawka, age 81, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022 in Florida. He was born on May 2, 1940, to the late Edward and Irene (Horbinski) Bzdawka in Milwaukee.

Daryl was a man who enjoyed life and cherished spending it with his wife of 53 years, Muriel. He loved to travel with her, taking trips to Portugal, Spain, Jamaica, Venezuela, Mexico and other destinations. His colorful shirts let you know his favorite place to vacation—Hawaii. He and Muriel traveled to the islands 45 times in all.

A well-traveled man, you would be surprised to know he had a modest upbringing and wore clothes sewn by his mother until he was a teenager. Daryl began his first job as a pinsetter at Blue Jay Lanes in Milwaukee with the goal of affording store-bought clothes. From there on, he never stopped working to build a better life.

He was lucky to survive being shot in a hunting accident at 17. The incident led to other health issues later in life, but Daryl was a survivor, and those challenges only fueled his zest for life, his determination, and his love for his family.

After landing a job as a custodian for Milwaukee County, Daryl took every training opportunity and every exam to move up the ladder. He worked at the county hospital, the prison and the courthouse, slowly advancing and eventually becoming the Director of the Facilities Management in charge of a multi-million-dollar budget. It was a rise through the ranks the county executive said would never be duplicated.

After 28 years with the county, he retired to their home on La Motte Lake. Friends and family were always welcome to share a drink and an inappropriate joke or two. If you were lucky enough to be friends with Daryl, you had a friend for life.

An only child, Daryl's family greatly expanded when he married Muriel and he relished it. He spent much of his time hunting, fishing, playing cards, and getting into mischief with his brothers-in-law. He loved his nieces and nephews and cherished his roles as jokester, advisor and protector. You couldn't go anywhere in Keshena or Shawano without someone calling out, "Hey, Uncle Daryl."

Those who were most blessed to have him in their life were his wife, his children and his beloved grandchildren. He found his greatest joy in his family and created a lasting legacy of love and laughter. His love for Muriel and their companionship was unmatched. As a father, he helped his children to continuously better themselves. As a grandfather, he was simply the best. It is impossible to describe the depth of his love for them. He was legendary.

He is survived by his wife, Muriel; two children, Denise (Dale) Klemens and Dana (fiancé Stefanie) Bzdawka; and grandchildren, Daryl Klemens, Dale "D.J." Klemens, DeCoteau (fiancé, Naji) Klemens, Bree Bzdawka, and Cole Bzdawka. He is further survived by brothers-in-law Wes, Jim and Allen; sister-in-laws, Darlene, Beverly and Betsy and many nieces and nephews.

Daryl is proceeded in death by his granddaughter, Deanna; in-laws, Wesley Sr. and Elizabeth "Libby" Martin; sisters-in-law, Joyce Peters, Chantel Johnson, Delores Wilke and Georgianna Martin; and brothers-in-law, Roger Peters, Robert Johnson, John Spantikow, Harry Martin and Guy Allen Martin.

A service for Daryl will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 22, 2022, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Keshena with Fr. Nonito Barra officiating. A private, family burial will take place at Sacred Heart Mausoleum after the service. Visitation will be held at 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Swedberg Funeral Home. A time of sharing will be held during the visitation at 6:00 pm.