Bukowski, Earl A. (1919-1999)

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/gen_oh/27/ [16065]

Biographical Information: Earl Bukowski was born on November 11, 1919, in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Bukowski spent most of his life in Sauk Rapids working as a baker, initially starting out as an assistant to his uncle at 11 years of age. Bukowski ultimately purchased the bakery as an adult. Aside from his primary career as a baker, Bukowski also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He supported his community as a volunteer firefighter, a member of the Sauk Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and a justice of the peace, among other roles. Bukowski passed away on May 2, 1999, survived by his wife, four children, ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Transcript Summary: In an interview conducted on June 27, 1978, Earl Bukowski recounted his life as a resident of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Bukowski noted that he started working in his uncle’s bakery at age 11, in order to help support his family during the Great Depression, and that (with the exception of roughly two years of service during World War II) he continued to bake, eventually purchasing his uncle’s bakery in 1957. Aside from his work as a baker, Bukowski also discussed how he volunteered to support the community of Sauk Rapids in a variety of other ways, including as a firefighter, member of the local chamber of commerce, and as a justice of the peace, among other activities. Additionally, Bukowski spoke about his family, noting that he was married on May 1, 1941. He and his wife raised four children together.

Interview conducted by John LeDoux and Mark Stone