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OUR KRENZELOK FAMILIY'S BAKERY

We need your pictures and memories to preserve the Krenzelok Family History.

Posted by Uncle Paul Krenzelok's son Ed. This is one of the pictures that Ed received from our relatives in Poland on one of his trip there. Many pictures were sent to our relatives in Poland by Paul and Elizabeth Krenzelok over the years. The above pictures I believe has not been seen by the Krenzelok in the US for many years. Taken at the first location on Worden Ave in the 1920s and is believed to be Paul Krenzelok, Marie Ellis, and John Kobielus.

Posted by Uncle Paul Krenzelok's son Ed. This is one of the pictures that Ed received from our relatives in Poland on one of his trip there. Many pictures were sent to our relatives in Poland by Paul and Elizabeth Krenzelok over the years. The above pictures I believe has not been seen by the Krenzelok in the US for many years. Taken at the first location on Worden Ave in the 1920s and is John Kobielus (left) and Paul Krenzelok on the right.

Pictured inside the Ladysmith Bakery at 115 E. Worden Avenue are from left to right: John Kobielus, Elisabeth Krenzelok, Paul Krenzelok and Martha Kobielus. The bakery was moved from Worden Avenue to a building on East Miner Avenue in 1930, the year the partnership between Krenzelok and Kobelius was dissolved. The bakery moved to its present or closing location on W. Second Street in about 1932 where the rent would be 25 dollars a month and a year later Paul would rent the upstairs for another 10 dollars. He would then sell their 4th street home and buy the bakery building. Posted by Edward's son Alan (Eddie) Krenzelok. There is no better picture in our collection. From the left; John Kobielus, Elizabeth Kellner Krenzelok, Paul Krenzelok and Martha Finnegan Kobielus. Taken at the first location on Worden Ave in the 1920s. I want to thank Jim Kobielus for providing Martha's maiden name.

The interior of the Ladysmith Bakery is shown as it appeared in about 1924. The bakery, then operated by Paul Krenzelok and John Kobielus, was located at 115 E. Worden Avenue in the Nelson Block. Krenzelok learned the baking trade in Austrian ruled Poland and came to this country in 1908, settling at Ladysmith. He lived in Duluth from 1912 to 1920, but returned to Ladysmith, starting the bakery in about 1921 in partnership with Kobielus. Krenzelok and Kobielus had known each other in Poland. Marie Ellis, a clerk in the bakery, waited on a customer when this photo was taken. Many of the furnishings in the above picture stayed with the family bakery until the end when the bakery closed down.

Posted by Alan Krenzelok, John Kobielus back at the oven and Paul Krenzelok making loafs. Around 1923 at 115 E. Worden Ave location in the Nelson Block. Worden was the first Bakery location. Anne Krenzelok Closs says the man back at the oven is Gene Kellaway or Joe Kool both men worked for Paul at one time or other.

Greg,
John Kobielusz migrated to the US from Istebna, Austria-Hungary in 1905, through Ellis Island. He later dropped the final "z" from his surname officially (though it's spelled "Kobielusz" on his tombstone in Ladysmith). John Kobielus married Martha Finnegan and had six children.

That's all for now.

Jim Kobielus January 9, 2003

PAT PACE KOBIELUS THE LAST OF JOHN AND MARTHA'S CHILDREN INTERVIEW
October 11, 2005

My name is Patricia and I am the last of John and Martha Kobielus children. I am the daughter of John and Martha (Finnegan) Kobielus. My birth date was July 27, 1921 and I have lived away from Ladysmith since December 1941 when I left to live in Washington.

Of course, I remember the bakery and the bank crash which led to the loss of the bakery. Although the bakery was owned jointly by both men (so I was always told), I never was told how the Krenzelok's managed to retain full ownership.

My father came to the United States on June 10, 1905, departing from the port of Antwerp, Belgium on the vessel Kroonland, Red Star Lines. His port of arrival was New York City. He was born in Istebna, Poland. To the best of my knowledge, he came alone. However, in 1905 his brother followed him from Europe and came to join him in Wisconsin. A mill at Port Arthur, Rusk County, Wisconsin is where my parents met, my mother was a teacher at the country school (grades 1-8). John worked at the mill. John Kobielus and Martha Finnegan had six children.

I remember when Betty Krenzelok died. At that time, your family was running a bakery that was right across the street from the movie house, can't remember its name. You all were living in an apartment above the bakery and I went up to see her and she was in bed from some illness. She died a short time later. We were close in age, but I think I was older.

I was told after the bakery partnership dissolved the family had no money and they when up to a Conservation Camp that were created at the time of the depression to help people out and John got a job as a baker. We finally moved back to Ladysmith and started another bakery. My father had a very big heart and always helped another who needed help. Pat said that she was going on a bakery delivery route in their car always trying to beat the other bakeries delivering in the small towns around Ladysmith. If they were first, the stores would buy from them. Oh, well, it's funny what memories still remain at age 85.

Note: Pat Kobielus Pace the last of John and Martha Kobielus children. I talked to her on October 11, 2005 and had a wonderful visit with her on the phone and we emailed several times. Pat was around 85 years old when I talked to her. - Greg Krenzelok

Pat Pace
Fowler Avenue
Port Charlotte, Florida 33981

October 31 2005: Kathryn, Pat's daughter made these comments along with others to me in an email:

Greg, I will be checking with mother to see if any photos of that time still exist, although I believe that mom left most of them in Ladysmith when she went to Washington, DC in 1941. The issue of the bakery remains as a painful focal point of my mother's life, and her first-hand memories are those of the only female child in an Irish/Polish household that did not share much with the children regarding the family assets/business. As the only daughter, she was often excluded from any knowledge of this sort, and her brothers have all passed away.

Your web site is wonderful, and provides a lovely glimpse into the past. Thanks for all the work you have done on it!

Thanks again for your fine note and the wonderful attachments.

Very Truly Yours,

Kathryn M.

MARRIAGE OF JOHN KOBIELUS TO MARTHA FINNEGAN, JUNE 28, 1, 1917
Miss Martha Finnegan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Finnegan of this village (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.), and Mr. John Kobelus of Port Arthur, Wis., were united in the holy bonds of matrimony at St. Bernard's Church in this village on Thursday morning, June 28, 1917, Father Neises officiating. Miss Finnegan has been a successful teacher in this and adjoining counties for several years. And enjoys a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Kobelus holds a very responsible position as foreman in a pulp mill at Port Arthur, Rusk Co. The couple was attended by Mrs. George Beller, sister of the bride, and Mr. Kobelus, brother of the groom. After the ceremony a reception was given at the bride's home which was largely attended by relatives and friends. They will reside at Port Arthur. The Courier joins their numerous friends in extending congratulations.

MARRIAGE OF JOHN KOBIELUS TO MARTHA FINNEGAN, JUNE 28, 1917
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Marriage of John Kobiulus to Martha Finnegan, June 28, 1917

PATRICIA KOBIELUS PACE PASSES AWAY
July 27, 1921 to January 27, 2021
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Patricia (Pat) Kobielus Pace Passes Away

Pat, lived a wonderful life and I was glad that I had the opportunity to speak to her and the Kobielus family. They are a ever important part of the Krenzelok story and were very old and good friends from the old county in Poland - Greg Krenzelok

Questions: January 2023 - As I re-work this webpage which has had only minor updates since it was built in 2002 I have a lot of questions as I go back an review the information that has been collected. One of those questions to me is that it seems the above images on the early bakery appear to be the 115 E. Worden Ave location in the Nelson Block. Worden was the first bakery location. The second location seems to be when the bakery was moved from Worden Avenue to a building on East Miner Avenue in 1930, the year the partnership between Krenzelok and Kobelius was dissolved. I am wondering if we have any pictures of that location? The problem is there is no one confirm questions like our aunts and uncles anymore. I would like to work on corrections of the website no minor they are, if you can help please contact me.
- Greg Krenzelok

Rare picture of the Ladysmith Bakery at 112 W. Second St., N. Old phone number: 532-6181 (red dot). Source: Lily Lindegren Nichols

"The Ladysmith Bakery, Paul Krenzelok and those wonderful loaves of bread and cinnamon rolls and bismarks !!! and the perfume of baking bread in the air !!! "
- Lily Lindegren Nichols.

State Bank of Ladysmith (Pioneer Bank), 1927-1964. at the corner of Miner Avenue W. and W. Second St. N. The old Pioneer Bank was a hangout for our Krenzelok and Murphy's. We have many pictures of our families taken there.

HISTORIC NAMES: STATE BANK OF LADYSMITH AND PIONEER BANK 1927-1964.
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Historic Names: State Bank of Ladysmith and Pioneer Bank, 1927-1964

The old Pioneer Bank building at the corner of Miner Avenue W. and W. Second St., N., and Oldendorf's tailer shop (red dot). Oldendorf's tailer shop became the Ladysmith Bakery.

The old Oldendorf's tailer shop before in became the Ladysmith Bakery (red dots). Aunt Anne says: When the bakery first opened up on 112th W. Second Street Anne and Frances's job was to go in and clean the ground level of the building that would become the bakery. At the time it was own by the Tailor, H. Oldendorf. And the Oldendorf's were friends of the family. The building was first his tailor shop and was built around 1908. Anne remembers it being some type of Welfare office that had moved out at the time. It was a mess and Anne remembers the terrible job that her and Frances had cleaning the building and making it ready to open as the Ladysmith Bakery. She remembers that they were still living at the 4th Street house when the new location opened up in 1933. Her father Paul was just renting the lower part of the building at first for 25 dollars per month. Later they would rent the upper part for 10 dollars more per month for a total of 35 dollars per month. They would finally sell the 4th street house and use the money to buy the bakery building and move upstairs. Working in the bakery when it first opened was her father Paul and Dean Kellaway who Paul trained. Anne was working the counter and doing whatever needed to be done. Frances did not care for bakery work and was working at the Toy factory in town. At this time the bakery was taking in around 5 to 6 dollars a day.

By Anne Krenzelok Closs

Bakery building on the right when it was the old H. Oldendorf tailor shop.

Picture postcard: Bakery building on the left (red dot). I don't think it was the bakery as this postcard looks like the 1920s. Paul didn't open the bakery at this location until 1932, and is probably Oldendorf tailor shop. Across the street from the bakery building is a rare wonderful picture of the Unique Theatre (red dot). The Unique Theatre is a part of the our Krenzelok story, we lived across the street. A wonderful early picture of both the future Krenzelok bakery building and the Unique Theatre on 2nd Street West, Ladysmith WI.

Aunt Dolores and Aunt Lillian in front of the Unique Theatre.

In my interview with Aunt Dolores she also remembers going to the Unique Theatre across the street from the bakery. Her and Eddie would go in back of the theatre and find the tickets torn in two and paste them back together again. She felt the owners always knew what they were up to but never made a big deal about it. Back then they would watch weekly shows that continue each week like Flash Gordon. You just couldn't wait to see what would happen next week! Getting into the theatre back then was a dime. Her brother Robert remembers the one time that Pa gave Joe a dime for the theatre and Joe lost it. That was it for Joe going to the movies! Years later the Unique Theatre burnt down. The Unique Theatre had been there a long time.

Bill Brand was the projectionist at the Unique Theatre in Ladysmith. Mabel Moore played piano for many years. The seats were wooden. And there was a balcony. The screen could be raised to reveal a stage that was used by traveling theatre shows and Vaudeville acts. Dances were held in the Unique Roof room on the second floor. The Unique was built in 1913. The theatre burned down at some point. Marilyn Kulibert told us that it was in 1952. I knew it was gone before I was born. but it was just the year before. I too remember walking past the ruins for years before it was completely hauled away. My Mom, told me she saw her first movie at this Theatre which was just North of Ditmansens across from the Ladysmith News and Krenzelok's Bakery.The movie was "Phantom of the Opera" a silent film. Scared the heck out of her. Source: My cousin Marilyn Kulibert.

Posted by Jim Krenzelok. What a great picture of the Bakery at night. Looks like Christmas time. Jim Krenzelok took this picture in the mid 1970's.

Elizabeth and Paul in front of their bakery May 7 1955.

Paul and Elizabeth's 40 wedding Anniversary, Ladysmith WI 1952. Ladysmith Bakery cake, decorated by Anne. Their chidren: Left to right top row: Robert, Joe, Ed, Paul, and Frances. Left to right bottom row: Anne, Delores, Paul Senior, Eliszabeth, and Lillian. Missing is Bette, who had passed away, June 30 1945.

Left image: Bette Krenzelok in back of the bakery and the Laysmith News building in the background. Right image: Great picture of Aunt Lillian Krenzelok Jensrud and Del in front of the Ladysmith News Office next to the Ladysmith Bakery circa 1939. The Ladysmith Newspaper moved to their new location in 1975.

When Aunt Dolores was asked about her sister Bette in my interview with her: Bette was 21 when she died. And she died of TB of the bone and Spiral meningitis, which she caught in the hospital. Bette worked in the bakery just like the other brothers and sisters. She would wrap bread, frost cakes, cookies and rolls and wait on customers. Bette never liked working in the bakery and when she graduated from high school she went to work at the office of Triple A for Marie Hauser Krenzelok's father. She went to St Mary's parochial school just like all the other Krenzelok children, and was in the Class of 1941 at Ladysmith High School. Bette had a pleasing personality, very pretty, soft-spoken and very seldom got bad at anyone. Dolores remember the many friends Bette had. Dolores remembers Bette going to the dances a lot and Dolores always wanted to tail along after her. But Dolores couldn't go because she was too young. When Bette died Dolores remembers how hard her mother took it, but remember Pa taking it even harder. It was a very sad time for the Krenzelok family. Bette was sick at home before she went into the hospital. Dolores remembers helping to take care of her sister at home.

THE LADYSMITH NEWS, OUR NEIGHBOR NEXT STORE

The Ladysmith News Team is photographed in the office in 1931. They are (from left) Orrin Garwood, Jeannette Ritz, Mark Bell and E. W. Richardson. The Ladysmith News office was next to the bakery. Above image of Bette Krenzelok on the side and Lilian and Del in front, street side of the Ladysmith News office. This story first appeared in the Nov. 6, 1931 edition of The Ladysmith News. Credit: The Ladysmith News Thursday, October 10, 2019.

Details of the Ladysmith News building.

Mark Bell, the publisher of the Ladysmith News, sits at his desk in the office. Looking out on to 2nd Street West, Ladysmith WI.

ORIGINAL BAKERY AGREEMENT BETWEEN PAUL KRENZELOK AND JOHN KOBIELUS SIGNED JULY 12, 1922

Below is the original bakery agreement between Paul Krenzelok and John Kobielus signed July 12th 1922. Up till now Paul and Elizabeth and family had been living in Duluth. Paul worked at the Zinmaster baking Company located in the Boston Dairy Lunch or Miller Cafeteria. It was this partnership that brought back Paul and Eliszabeth to Ladysmith. Elizabeth was very happy living in Duluth and real did not want to go back. They finally moved back, live in Maple Hill for a while close by to Elizabeth parents Frank and Frances Kellner. The partnership did not work out between John and Paul and finally Paul bought out John and that was the beginning of the Ladysmith Bakery. Years later John Kobielus would open a bakery in Ladysmith, but it didn't work out.

I would like to thank Joseph's (Joe) son Jim Krenzelok for this most treasured piece of the Krenzelok History.

Page 1 of the agreement between John Kobielus and Paul Krenzelok

Page 2 of the agreement between John Kobielus and Paul Krenzelok

Page 3 of the agreement between John Kobielus and Paul Krenzelok

Page 4 of the agreement. And the dissolve of the partnership between John and Paul.

LADYSMITH BAKERY BUCKS THE TREND WITH THEIR OLD WORLD RECIPES

Left image: Ladysmith Bakery Ad 1950. Right image: Article in Ladysmith News.

Bakery Ladysmith in the Ladysmith News newspaper 1954-56. Note: in the left image it looks like maybe the Ladysmith Bakery sign in up. Source: Lily Lindegren Nichols.

Master Baker Paul Krenzelok relaxing in back of his bakery. Paul first moved to Ladysmith in 1909.

Paul in back of the bakery with the grand kids. I believe the grandchildren are Paul's daughter Anne's children: Beverly, Yvonne (Bonnie), David Closs. Anne Krenzelok Closs married David Closs on December 27, 1937 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Anne met her husband David Closs while working at the bakery. Paul trained David Closs.

Paul in back of the bakery with the grand kids. Robert Krenzelok says that is his Ford Model A.

A great picture of Paul in back of the bakery with the grandchildren.

I believe this is a picture of Paul and Elizabeth's granddaughter Beverly in back of the bakery.

Paul Krenzelok in back of the bakery.

Elizabeth, Paul and one of the man that worked for Paul. Taken upstairs in the kitchen, the door in the back would take you down stairs to the bakery and back of the bakery.

Elizabeth in back of the Bakery with the Ladysmith Bakery Van.

Paul Jr. Krenzelok baking the old world ways as taught to him by his father Paul. Paul using a peel to remove Hot delicious Ladysmith bakery goods.

In my interview with Aunt Delores and talking about the bakery and her brother's Paul and Joe: Joe worked in the bakery and made all the donuts, cookies, cakes, butter rolls and there wasn't to many things he didn't make Dolores says and everything had to be perfect! Joe like Paul had a very high standard when it came to what they made for the bakery. Dolores says Paul was the bread and bun maker and filled in where ever he was needed. Paul also did most of the delivering of the bakery goods. When asked about the everyday routine of the bakery: Dolores says the Pa wasn't in there too much when she was growing up. Sometime after the war Pa started working less in the bakery. He still came down to help with the donuts and cleaning up. It was good to see Pa not having to work so hard after so many years of hard work. So pretty much after the war Paul and Joe ran the bakery. But Pa was still the boss. Sunday was the only day off for the bakery. And during deer hunting season the bakery would close down for a week. At this time everyone would go on vacation. The first thing that would happen everyday is that someone would have to turn on the oven. The oven was originally fired with coke, then fuel oil and finally gas. The oven would have to be turned on at 9:00 the night before. If someone was living at home they would do it. Later Paul or Joe would take turns turning on the oven and coming in early. There was just a switch on the wall to turn the oven on. You would have to open the dampeners. The oven would be ready to go at 3:00 am in the morning.

A early picture of Paul in back of the bakery. The old Martin house in the background.

Posted by Therese and their family: Paul and his son Ed Krenzelok at the bakery.

Uncle Paul, washing pans is never done at the bakery.

Great picture of Ed and the bakery truck.

Paul making those famous Ladysmith bakery rolls.

More on my interview with Aunt Delores about the bakery: Paul and Joe went by weeks coming in. Who ever week in was that person would come in at 3:00am. The next man would come in about 1hour to an hour and half later. They would start mixing the dough's. The bread dough's would be first and then the different dough's would be next. But the time the second man arrived he would have some dough to work with. Dough for sweet rolls would be next, this dough would be for Orange coconut rolls, almond rolls, cinnamon rolls and all the other donuts and roll that the bakery made. Paul worked by the ovens and Joe worked in the back on the big donut bench over by the side door and mixer. Joe would make donuts, bismarks, fried cinnamon rolls, long johns, and everything else back on the fry line. About this time Dolores and Ann would come in around 7:00am and start doing their jobs. Dolores would start to slice the bread; the dark breads would be ready to slice and wrap. Dolores would then start to frost the sweet rolls. The frosting was made out of powdered sugar, shortening, vanilla , salt and water. Ann would start decorating cakes or whatever needed to be done. Note: Robert remembers that years after Frank Kellner would deliver milk to the bakery a milkman in his truck delivered milk to the bakery and the neighbors. The milk at one time came in large metal containers and the cream would rise to the top. Paul would take the cream off the top and whip it for the cream puffs. Dolores remember spying on her brother Joe. Joe and friend Spike Straton would times go down into the basement and drink Rum and Coke. This was probably in the early years. Another story Robert Krenzelok remembers is one day Eddie was out collecting bottles when someone told him about a bunch of bottles over there. Eddie with his pull wagon headed out and picked up the bottles. Brother Paul out delivering in the bakery truck saw his brother loaded down and picked him up. They didn't know that someone had broken into a railroad car and stolen a few cases of beer and the railroad Dick's were watching the empty bottles. They watch Eddie picking up the bottles and then brother Paul picking Eddie up. When Paul and Eddie got back to the bakery the Railroad Detectives tried to arrest Paul for being the ringleader. Paul and Eddie told them their stories and were let off the hook. This is one of many Krenzelok stories we are trying to collect.

Joseph (Joe) Krenzelok. Joe was a B-24 Ground Crew Chief, in Italy during WW2. He was with the 464th Bombardment Group (H), 776th Bombardment Squadron (H), 55th Wing of the 15th Army Air Corps. Very interesting see his webpage:

M/SGT. JOSEPH E. KRENZELOK, U.S. AAF WW2
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M/Sgt. Joseph Krenzelok, U.S. AAF WW2

Aunt Dolores remembers sitting around the table with the family and listening to the radio the day the Japanese hit Pearl Harbor. I remember this real clear she says. We were sitting around the table that Sunday December the 7th and they declared War on Japan. And a week later Joe was drafted into the Army. Joe decided to go into the Air Force. The Air Force was a part of the Army at that time. Joe was gone for four years spending time in Italy and on the Island of Trinidad, which is on the Northeast end of South America. Joe was a Master sergeant and with this crew repaired the banged up B-24 Liberators that came in. While on the Island of Trinidad the B-24 Liberators were involved in U-Boat patrol in the Battle of the Atlantic. He was station there when his sister Bette die and he flew home. Dolores remembers how bad the family felt about the boys going to war. When the war was over Joe would come back to Ladysmith and continue being a part of the family bakery business.

Joe in back of the bakery during winter. Martin house in the background. The bakery was nice an warm during the winter, but very warm in the summer.

More on my interview with Aunt Delores about the bakery: Now back to the bakery: After this Paul was rolling out more dough for breads, they would make about 300 loafs of bread a day. It all depended on the year and season. However much they made they would always sell all of it. They also made lots of buns and if it was bun day to go to the schools they would make around a hundred and some dozen. The bread and buns would be delivered to the schools. And after Joe got done with the fried cakes he would start mixing up dough for cookies. The bakery everyday would make around 3 different kinds of cookies. Some of the cookies were the Date filled, sugar cookies, chocolate chip, jelly rocks, ginger cookies. The bakery had about 20 different types of cookies they would make. Then Joe would make the cakes, Joe like Paul was a busy guy! Joe would make one or two kinds of cakes a day. Sometime it would be chocolate or banana and if it was wedding cakes usually white cake. When there was wedding cakes to be made there would be a little more work. Joe would also make lots of cupcakes. Right about now Paul would be rolling out buns and parker house rolls and probably has another batch of dough in the proof box. The proof box was a large metal box with a small heating element and rocks with a can of water. Any dough that needed rising would go in for around an hour or so. Paul would check out the rising dough and if it looked ready he would take his peel and into the oven it would go. Paul baked his bread at 400 degrees. When the cakes were going in the oven it was around 12:30 in the afternoon. Cakes were not ready to sell until later in the day. Dolores and whoever was there to help would frost the cupcakes. The last batch of bread would come out around 1:00 in the afternoon. Ann would be decorating birthday cakes and she helped Paul baking the breads and buns. The bakery would make lots of birthday cakes and Ann would do all the decorating. They would make extra cakes and keep them in the cooler ready for special orders. In the morning the special birthday cakes would be made. The bakery also made a lot of sheet cakes for all kinds of special events; Ann would also decorate these cakes. Sometimes during Graduation the bakery would have 100 cakes to make and decorate. Dolores says: Ann did all the decorating.

Posted by Therese and their family: Paul jr wife Marie and Dolores on the front counter of the Bakery. Notice the fresh bread in the back ground.

Aunt Dolores Krenzelok Fuhrer frying donuts at the bakery 1980s.

More on my interview with Aunt Delores about the bakery: Clean up started in the afternoon, with Paul or Joe's kids coming in to earn a little extra money and help out. Dolores worked from 7:00am to 3:00 in the afternoon. The bakery would close up around 5:30 or 6:00. Paul would go home around 3:00 and would go home and take a shower and clean up and come back around 5:00 and deliver anything that needed delivering. Joe would go home around 4:00 or so. They did this 6 days a week. Week after week. Everyone worked very hard! The bakery never had too many leftovers.

For many years the family lived upstairs. And one by one as the children got older the children moved away. But all the children always would come by or come home to visit Pa and Ma and there was always a lot going on upstairs. Ma continued to make breakfast and dinner for who ever wanted to come up for a bite to eat. And at 6:00 she would cook supper. There was always a place to stay on a visit. And every Christmas the whole family would be there, sometimes as many as 40 of the family. The family continued to get larger and larger. Note by Greg Krenzelok: For me being one of the grandchildren I had so many fond memories of going up those long stairs to where the family lived. I remember the kitchen and the kitchen table, the rooms on the side and back. The living room and windows overlooking the street and the dining table with a lace table cloth. And Grampa and Gramma's bedroom. And I'll never forget Grampa sitting in his rocking chair smoking a cigar in the little porch overlooking the street. They both would make us feel so special when we came for a visit. It broke my heart to see the pictures in the Ladysmith News paper taking down the bakery building after the 2002 tornado. It was like all my memories being crushed. In the later years Grampa would have a little more time to enjoy himself, spending a little more time down at Taylor's having a beer and visiting with friends. And later Ma would finally have a little time just to watch a little TV which she enjoyed doing.

Dolores says: Ma use to enjoy coming down stair to see what was going on. If it was Easter time when I was busy frosting 100's of dozen's of cookies, she would help me put the sprinkles on. Ma would just to come down and be surrounded by her children and family. Ma always made a little extra cash by making and selling fudge, penuche, and sea foam. She would sell it in the front case and would always go over very good and she would sell it all.

For more information on the family go see Aunt Dolores webpage and everyone elses, links below. We have worked hard to preserve our Krenzelok Family History. - Greg Krenzelok

Aunt Marie Hauser Krenzelok, frying donuts at the bakery 1980s.

Lillian's husband Russell.

Paul and family friend Angelo Rugonon of Chicago. Bakery building on the left and the Ladysmith News building on the right.

Aunt Anne in the far background, Uncle Paul's daughter Mary Barbara, and Aunt Lillian's husband Russell. The guy with the hat is Jerry Geier, uncle Paul and Dad's hunting buddy.

Cousin Bette mentioned an interesting story about Jerry Gier. She says that Jerry Gier owned the funeral home in town and after her Mom, Dad and Uncle Paul passed away, he was so tired of burying all his close friends, he sold the business, then he ended up passing away himself. I would like to thank cousin Bette for the interesting story.

Post by Lillian's daughters Barbara and Therese. These wonderful pictures were taken by Barbara when she was working in the Bakery. That is Joe's daughter Bette is this picture.

Post by Lillian's daughters Barbara and Therese. From left to right is a customer, Aunt Lillian, Aunt Anne and Uncle Paul son Paul Jr.

Post by Lillian's daughters Barbara and Therese. Uncle Paul son Paul Jr. Krenzelok.

Hot out of the Oven - Paul Krenzelok takes a pie out of the 1933 vintage Brick oven at the Ladysmith Bakery. He has been baking for the family run business for 56 years. He can't remember the last time he looked at a recipe. Everything is done from memory. The bakery will be but a memory after Saturday when it closes indefinitely. (Taken from the March 24 1988 Ladysmith Newspaper).

The above picture of Paul and the article are posted by Dolores and her family.

Aunt Dolores, Uncle Paul and Aunt Marie taking a picture in front of the Milady Beauty shop. Uncle Paul joking around and pretending to be a certain WW2 Germany leader. Tilda Ruhut, worked next door and ran the beauty parlor. We have several pictures of the family that were taken in front of her place. There was a Doctor's office down from the beauty parlor and the gas station on the corner.

During World War 2 the Milady Beauty Shop next store to the bakery where the Krenzelok's took a lot of their pictures in front of had in their front window display case a tribute to those in Ladysmith who were serving their country in the military.

Robert (Bob) Krenzelok, son of Paul and Elizabeth Krenzelok in front of the Bakery in 1998 and in front of his old home.The bakery was no longer ran by the Krenzelok family or the front of the bakery no longer looking the same, but you can still feel the Krenzelok presence. So many memories. I can just hear and smell all of those memories I have of the Ladysmith Bakery. Note: left side of the image is the old Ladysmith News building, center our bakery, and the right the old Milady Beauty Shop. Times have changed from the old days.

Note: left side of the image is the old Ladysmith News building, center our bakery, and the right the old Milady Beauty Shop. In the background in the old Martin house.

Note: left side of the image is the old Ladysmith News building, center our bakery, and the right the old Milady Beauty Shop. The Ladysmith Newspaper moved to their new location in 1975.

This view of the bakery is very fond for a lot of us. Up the stair on the right of the picture leads to the door with the 3 small windows where Paul Krenzelok would love to sit and smoking a cigar and watch the people going by back in the old days (red dot). His grandchildren would love to visit with our grampa there and this picture brings back many wonderful memories. The bakery front looked much different then but the original Bakery sign is still there.

LADYSMITH, Wis. September 2nd, 2002
The Ladysmith Bakery was damaged in the tornado (small red dot). The tornado touched down approximately at 420 pm CDT about one- and one-half miles west southwest of downtown Ladysmith. The tornado was initially ranked an F0, but strengthened to an F2 at the intersection of highways 8 and 27 on the west side of town. The tornado further intensified to F3 strength just east of the railroad tracks near the Baptist church, and proceeded to tear up the downtown business area. The tornado remained at F3 strength for about a mile, before weakening to a F1 as it exited the east side of town. The tornado remained on the ground for about 15 miles and moved at about 30 mph. The tornado was one quarter of a mile wide at its widest point. It finally lifted off around 450 pm cdt, about two miles south of the town of Ingram. Although most of the damage in Ladysmith was rated as F2, (113-157 mph), there was a one to two block swath of F3 damage near Highway 8 and a Baptist church. Along with structural damage to buildings, two vehicles (a pickup truck and van), were picked up and thrown 75 feet during the event.

In June of 2005 we came back to Ladysmith for a family reunion and it was our first time to see the old bakery lot after the tornado in 2002 and after the building was tornado down. It broke are hearts, so many memories for us and for my mom Gerry who spend a lot of time here when dating her husband Robert Krenzelok, getting married and raising the family throughout the years. I also wanted to get picture of the old gas station. Many old pictures were taken in front of the gas station.

It was hard to believe it was gone.

Robert wife Gerry and daughter Suzanne looking at where the bakery once stood. The pictures were taken in 2005 and not 2006.

The two people in the picture on the right side are my mom, Gerry Murphy Krenzelok and my sister Suzanne Krenzelok Battaglia.

The bakery gone has left a big hole in our hearts.

Uncel Paul's son Ed Krenzelok sent me the above images. Pictures of the Bakery coming down from the big tornado that hit Ladysmith. It kind of breaks my heart to see these pictures. So many memories in that building for our Krenzelok family.

BAKERY MEMORIES

When I was growing up until I was about 10 years old I would say...we went to Ladysmith almost every single weekend. We always stayed at my Grandma Depew's house. Saturday mornings Dad and I would get up early and we'd go "visiting". Lots and lots of times we'd end up at the bakery.

We'd go in through the back door and go over by Uncle Joe. I'd sit and watch him flip those doughnuts in that hot grease and wonder how he could do it so fast. I remember seeing all the burn marks on his inner arms and thinking how tough he must have been. I remember the day he showed me how the jelly got into the doughnuts and it was kind of like finding out the secret behind a magic trick...I wanted to know but once I did it took away the fun part of the mystery of "how do they bake that doughnuts around that jelly"

Anne Krenzelok Closs the bakery's master cake decorator. She decorated all the cake at the bakery.

Aunt Anne worked at the hot lunch program at OLS School for 20 years. She also worked at the Ladysmith Bakery since high school, until the Krenzelok family sold the bakery. During that time she was well known for her cake decorating.

I remember the smell that surrounded me and the sound of the screen door slamming behind me. My uncle Jim was still working there at that time and he would be hustling by with a tray of bread loading his van and he'd give a short "Hey" to us. Dad always told me to be careful and stay out of his way because he was busy. Then we'd go in a little deeper and if Joe wasn't in the back flipping the doughnuts in the grease then he was at the wooden board cutting the dough into those perfect circles and flipping them on his thumbs. Over to the left we'd find Uncle Paul and sometimes Grandma Anne taking loaves of bread out of that hot oven and Uncle Paul would smile and wave.

From Lillian's picture album a 6 dollars 50 cent cake decorated by Anne. We are guessing from the 1950's or 60's

Cousin Betty was usually flying by but would stop to chat with Dad and give me a quick smile. Sometimes I'd watch Uncle Joe or Uncle Paul mixing dough in those huge mixers and watch them add flower but never measure. I'd ask Dad "Where is their recipe?" and he'd smile and say they don't need one, they know exactly what to add by the way it looks and feels.

From Lillian's picture album, decorated by Anne. date and price unknown.

I never understood how then but now I do. I can still see the flour stained floor and all the people rushing this way and that. I loved those Saturday mornings with my dad. What I wouldn't do to go back there just once. I'd ask so many more questions. I want to believe that heaven is what we all perceive as perfection on earth. It's a place where you are surrounded by all the people (and pets) that you've loved and loved you and that we get to revisit places and events that we thought were once in a lifetime. If I am blessed one day to get there...Dad and I are going to go visiting at the bakery again...

By David Closs's daughter Karen Brzezinski

Note: If you have bakery memories and would like to post them please share them with us!

From Lillian's picture album a 14 dollars 50 cent cake decorated by Anne. 1950's or 60's.

Hi Greg, oh this photo makes me smile. That is my wedding cake that mom made for me. Notice the scallops around the edge, my mom said they were a lot of work and she would never do that again. But that is what I wanted. My mom and I also made the dress she is wearing.

Thanks, Greg, for the beautiful photo of my mom

Love you!

Cousin, Therese

Found in Gerry Krenzelok's recipe book.

I would like to thank Lillian's daughter Therese Jensrud Jordan for the bakery recipes. Remember these bakery recipes are for bakery amounts of ingredients you will have to do the conversion to make a smaller recipe.

A very special note: Therese told me that her sister Barbara sat down with her uncle Joe (Joseph) while at the bakery one day and she wrote them down as Joe gave them to her off the top of his head. I thank you Barbara so much and I am so please these recipes came from Joe.

OUR KRENZELOK LADYSMITH BAKERY RECIPES

Posted January 17 2005 by Jim Krenzelok and his son Dan. This is a recipe a lot of the cousins have been looking for. Thanks Jim and his son Dan.

Greg

This is Dan, your cousin Jim's son. He was showing me the bakery page on the Krenzelok Family website and the recipes. We noticed that you do not have the Christmas and Easter and Valentines and St. Patrick cookie recipes. My dad says that they are one and the same, but gave me the recipe to email to you. While it has already been converted to a more reasonable size, I'm sure you can scale it up to size with the others if you want

Christmas, Easter, Valentines and St Patrick Bakery Cookie recipe

6 oz Butter (3/4 C)
6 oz Shortening (3/4 C)
12 oz Sugar (1 1/2 C)
Vanilla (1t)
Beat and Add
4 oz Eggs (3 small)
Beat Again
half cake and half bread Flour (4 1/2 C) ( look below for flour amount) 1 teaspoon baking powder

Greg
It's roughly 4 1/2 cups. It's never the same. My dad does it all by feel, which I am not able to do yet. We just slowly add it until the dough is slightly sticky.
Hope that helps Dan

Betty Jakubco e-mailed Jim to get the baking temperature and frosting recipe

Hi Betty;
I bake the cookies at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes, it will all depend on your oven, just watch them and take them out when the edges just start to turn golden. I use a real basic frosting with no fat, make it thin so it spreads nice and even.
Jim

Honey Boys

2 pounds of Sugar
1 Pint of Eggs
3/4 oz of Amonium

Mix above in a bowl by Hand

Add

5 pounds of warm honey
5 pounds and 4 oz of flour

Honey Boys (Therese recipe)

1 1/4 cups of sugar
2 eggs
1 T Amonium

Mix above in a bowl by hand

Add 2 1/2 cups of warm Honey
5 to 7 cups of flour - until dough is smooth and easy to roll out. Roll out until dough is 1/4 inch thick and cut out with a cookies cutter. Bake at 300 degrees for about 7 minutes

English Toffee

3 1/2 pounds of Brown Sugar
3 1/2 pounds of White Sugar
3 pounds of Shortening
1/2 pound of Butter
8 oz of Milk
1 pound and 4 oz of Oatmeal
2 pounds of eggs
8 pounds cake flour
3 1/2 pounds of English Toffee
1 1/2 oz of baking soda
1 1/2 oz of salt
And Vanilla

Fudge Drops

Cream

3 pounds of Sugar
2 pounds of Butter and Shortening
8 oz of Cocoa
1/2 oz of salt
1/2 oz of Vanilla

Add 3/4 quart of eggs
Add 1/2 pound of Milk
Add 3 pounds of Flour
Add 1 oz of Baking Powder

Oatmeal Crunch

3 pounds 2 oz of Shortening
2 pounds 12 oz of Oatmeal
1 oz of Baking Soda
Pinch of Salt
4 pounds of Brown Sugar
Vanilla
6 pounds of Flour

Sugarless Drop Cookies

1/2 cup of Butter or Margarine, Creamed

Add and mix the following

1 egg
2T concentrated Orange Juice
1T of grated orange rind
4T Sweet 10
1t Vanilla
1t Salt
1t Baking Powder
1/2 t Baking Soda
1/2 cup of Buttermilk

Drop on a greased cookies sheet and Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 3/4 pounds of Sugar
1 3/4 pounds of Brown Sugar
2 pounds of Shortening
1/2 oz of Salt
1/2 oz of Baking Soda
6 eggs
1 1/2 pound of Peanut Butter
2 1/2 pounds of Flour

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 3/4 pounds of Sugar
1 3/4 pounds of Brown Sugar
2 pounds of Shortening
1/2 oz of Salt
1/2 oz of Baking Soda
6 eggs
1 1/2 pound of Peanut Butter
2 1/2 pounds of Flour

Jelly Rocks

1 1/2 pounds of Cake Crumbs
2 pounds of Sugar
1 1/2 pounds of Shortening
2 oz of Baking Soda
3/4 oz of Salt
1/2 oz of Cinnamon

Cream above ingredients

Add the following:

10 eggs
1 1/2 pounds of Raisins
1/2 pint of Molasses
4 pounds of Bread Flour

Press with a fork and fill with raspberry jelly

Walnut Ice Box Cookies (Therese's favorite)

3 pounds of Sugar
1 pound of Brown Sugar
8 oz of invert Sugar
1 oz of Salt
1 oz of Baking Soda
1 1/2 oz of Cream of Tartar
2 oz Skim Powdered Milk
1 pound and 6 oz of Butter
1 pound of Shortening
10 oz of eggs
1 oz of Vanilla
2 oz of water
1 pound and 8 oz of chopped nuts
5 pounds of Cake Flour

Scale out 1 pound and 6 oz piece of dough, roll out to 12 inches long and cool over night in refrigerator.

Lemon Cookies

Cream the following

4 pounds of Sugar
1 1/2 pounds of Shortening
1 oz of Salt
1 oz of Baking Soda
12 eggs

Add:

2 oz of Lemon Flavor
1 1/2 pint of Milk
5 1/2 pounds of Flour
1 1/2 oz of Baking Powder

Coconut Cookies

4 pounds of Shortening part of it Butter
4 pounds of Sugar
2 pounds of eggs
Vanilla
6 pounds of Coconut 1/2 and 1/2
4 pounds of Cake Flour
1 oz of Baking Soda
Salt

Almond Cookies

Cream the following

3 pounds 8 oz of Sugar
3/4 oz of Salt
2 pounds of Kernal paste? (There is a question mark on Kernal paste in the recipe, it could be Almond Paste, they are called Almond Cookies
3 pounds and 6 oz of Shortening

Cream:

13 oz of eggs
14oz of Water

Add

5 pounds and 2 oz of Bread Flour
1 oz of Baking Powder
12 oz of Coconut

Butter Fly Cookies

4 1/2 pounds and of Powder Sugar
2 1/2 pounds of Shortening
1 oz of Baking Soda
1 oz of Salt
Vanilla, A lot of the recipes do not have amount for the Vanilla. It may have just been to taste
1 Pint of eggs
3/4 quart of Milk
6 pounds of Flour

Cream Puff Shells

Mix and Boil

2 quarts of water
1 pound and 12 oz of Lard

Add to Boiling Water

2 pounds and 4 oz of Flour

In a bowl add

2 quarts of eggs
1/2 oz of Amonium ( I have no idea what Amonium is )

Add eggs to Flour parts, Mix until cool and stiff

Jelly Rolls

27 pounds of Sugar
27 pounds of Eggs
9 pounds of Egg Yolks
8 oz of Salt

Beat above to good foam

9 pounds of Hot Milk 110 degrees
4 oz Vanilla

Add above slowly and beat until very light

27 pounds of Cake Flour
4 oz of Baking Powder

Sift dry ingredients and add to wet and fold in

Butterscotch Brownies

Cream the following

2 pounds and 2 oz of Brown Sugar
12 oz of Butter
14 oz of Corn Syrup or Honey

Add:

1 pound and 8 oz of Crushed nuts
1 pound and 2 oz of Wheat flour
14 oz of Eggs
7 oz of Water
1/8 oz of Baking Powder
1/8 oz of Salt

Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes in a 16 x 24 inch pan

Chocolak Roll

1 quart of Eggs
1 1/2 pounds of Powder Sugar
1/2 pint of Hot Milk
1/2 oz of Salt
1 1/4 pound of Cake Flour
1/2 oz of Baking Soda
8 oz of Chocolak Liquor
1/2 oz of Vanilla

Beat the eggs Sugar and Salt until foamy and stiff. Fold in the melted Chocolak carefully not to disturb the foam structure. Add the sifted flour and while folding in slowly pour in the warm milk in which the baking soda has been dissolved. Add the Vanilla and mix well. Deposit on to a paper lined sheet pan Put 2 3/4 pounds to a standard pan will give a nice height to the roll

Fried Cakes

Mix together

5 pounds of Sugar
1 pounds of Butter
3 oz of Salt
1/4 oz of Mage
Vanilla

Add:

2 1/2 pounds of Eggs Half Whole eggs and Half Yokes only

Add

8 pounds of Milk

Sift and Add

8 pounds of Cake Flour
7 pounds of Bread Flour
10 oz of Baking PowerMix together:

5 pounds of Sugar
1 pounds of Butter
3 oz of Salt
1/4 oz of Mage
Vanilla

Add

2 1/2 pounds of Eggs Half Whole eggs and Half Yokes only

Add

8 pounds of Milk

Sift and Add

8 pounds of Cake Flour
7 pounds of Bread Flour
10 oz of Baking Power

Pound Cake

Cream

3 1/4 pounds of Sugar
1 pound of Butter
1 1/2 pound Shortening

Add and Cream until light

1 quart of Egg Yokes
1 quart of Milk

Add

2 3/4 pounds of Cake Flour
1 1/4 oz of Baking Flour

Add any desired flavoring

Banana Cake

Cream

2 pounds 8 oz of Sugar
1 pound of Shortening
1 oz of Soda
1/2 oz of Salt

Add:

1 pound of Eggs
1 pound of Bananas
1 pound and 6 oz of Milk
2 1/2 pounds of Cake Flour
1 oz of Baking Powder

Apple Spice Cake

Cream the following

2 pounds and 12 oz of Brown Sugar
1 pound and 4 oz of Shortening
1 oz of Salt
1 oz of mixed Spices
4 oz of Baking Soda

Add and mix

1 pound and 8 oz of Eggs

Add

3 1/2 pounds of Buttermilk
2 pounds of Ground Raisins
2 pounds of Apple Sauce

Shift and Add

3 pounds of Bread Flour
1 1/2 pounds of Cake Flour

Chocolak Icing

Mix the following until Smooth

5 pounds of Powdered Sugar
1/4 oz of Salt
1 pound and 4 oz of Hot Milk
12 oz of invert Syrup
Vanilla to taste

Melt together and add to mix

14 oz of Shortening
4 oz of Butter
2 pounds of Melted Chocolate

Use while warm, thin down if necessary with simple or invert sugar

Chocolate Buttercream

2 pounds of Butter or margarine or shortening
4 pounds of 6X Sugar
3/4 pint of Egg Yolks
1 pound of Chocolate Liquor

Melt the Chocolate liquor and cream with the Butter. Add the egg yolks and add a little vanilla if desired

Easter Filling

2 1/2 pounds of Powder Sugar
2 1/2 pounds of Cake Shortening
8 oz Egg Yolks
8 oz of non fat milk solid
1 pound of water
Vanilla to taste

Blended Wheat Bread

2 pails of water, your guess is as good as mind on this one
6 oz of Sugar
6 oz of Salt
14 oz of Shortening

6 oz of Molasses
3 Squirts of Caramel Color
3 Scoops of Wheat flour
3 Scoops of regular flour
1 pound of yeast

Hot Cross Buns

14 pounds of Hard Wheat flour
2 pounds and 8 oz of Sugar
2 pounds of Shortening
12 oz of Powdered Skim Milk
1 pound of whole eggs
4 oz of Salt
1 pound of yeast
1 gallon of warm water
1/2 oz of cinnamon
1/2 oz of Nutmeg or Mace
3 pounds and 8 oz of Raisins
3 pounds and 8 oz of Diced Fruit

Total weight = 36 pounds and 9 oz

Dough temperature = 78 to 80 degrees

Mix Dough until it becomes smooth about 8 to 10 minutes. Add raisins and diced fruit and mix at slow speed until fruit is thoroughly incorporated. Give dough full rise 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and take to the bench in about 15 minutes.

Well that's it for Bakery recipes. If you have any please share them with us!

COMMENTS ABOUT OUR FAMILY'S LADYSMITH BAKERY MADE ON "REMEMBER LADYSMITH WISCONSIN WHEN": FACEBOOK

A small town America bakery.

- I remember this bakery they had the best Bismarks yummy!

Julie Carlson - Now that place was the love of my childhood. I was only 5 when my grandpa passed, but what he gave to us was a legacy of love and hard work and family. Miss the life of growing up eating hot glazed donuts.

- Oh how I loved their baked stuff. I also got in on some cheers in back of the bakery on Christmas Eve.

- Best bakery EVER!!!

Greg Krenzelok - Thank you Lily, it means so much to our family to see these old Ladysmith News articles.

- I miss this good home town bakery and home town personality.

- I used to love going in there. I can still smell it.

- I loved the bakery. I would stop by after my paper route and get a fresh, hot, yummy, doughnut or three.

- This bakery left me with fond memories, we came to ladysmith on vacation and occasions and it was the first place we would head to, it was the best.

- Loved the bismarks! More than once spilled a glop of jelly on my shirt.

- The best bakery I have ever been to.

- Grew up with fresh baked breads!

- Loved their bread and donuts.

- I sure miss that place.

Yvonne Closs Likar - My Grandpa!

- Good Man and a good family!

NOTE: Comments made on "Remember Ladysmith, Wisconsin When" post made by cousin Julie of Aunt Delores at the bake on January 14, 2023 - 75 comments.

Julie Carlson: Can you remember that smell of freshly baked bread coming from the Ladysmith Bakery?!!! I wonder how many loaves of bread we wrapped? A day? A week? A month? Years? Soooooo many. And I think I ate a few pieces as I wrapped. Sorry to anyone who had a strange gap in their loaf. Below is my mom, which I probably don't even need to tell most of you, her name. But in case, may I introduce you to Dolores (Krenzelok) Fuhrer.

Note: only family names have been listed. Anyone can have their name added if you made a post, please email me. - Greg Krenzelok

- I loved having the bakery loved Saturday morning fresh jelly filled donuts so good.

The best Cinnamon Rolls. Nothing comes close.

Oh glazed donut! The best!!!!!

The best fried cinnamon rolls!!!!

My Aunt Margaret Ludvik work at bakery with your mom.

It's been decades, but I'll never forget the place.

Jennifer Krenzelok - The smell of a good bakery takes me back to my childhood every time! Loved those memories, great pic!

The best date cookies!!!

I miss your mom too. Her and Vivian were the best friends. They sure had some stories to tell.

Julie Carlson - They were crazy girls together.

Delores was the best.

It was a great place to go after the flea market.

I sure do. The Ladysmith News was located right across the alley from them at time. Oh, those pastries. Cinnamon rolls, jelly rolls, and the smell of fresh baked bread.

Stephanie G. - I worked at the Ladysmith Bakery for a couple years. Best job I ever had. I loved it.

Bread and donut smell awesome.

Christine J. - Yes, our store back then was right next door it was incredible. I miss we don't have those smells around much anymore.

Their bread made the best toast slathered with butter and homemade strawberry jam.

Their bakery is a wonderful childhood memory for me...we would come on vacation to Ladysmith...always headed straight to the bakery for fresh bread and then would slather it with butter....Oh! the smells were wonderful.

And the Cream Puffs.

When I see a small bakery, we stop and try but haven't found one that compares.

Jeanne Jensrud - Yes, I remember coming there and walking in the back door headed up to grandmas and thinking, I can't wait until morning when uncle Joe will give us donuts from the stair case because we weren't allowed in the bakery when they were baking. Those are aromas that will never leave. I loved all my mom's family so much and miss them so much!! And yes the aroma of bread, awesome!

Yvonne Closs Likar - Loved Aunt Delores!

One of my favorites, best bakery ever, don't taste that good these days!

We walked home past the bakery after school. The aromas were mouthwatering.

The smells are only dreams, the best breads anywhere. Our town needs a bakery, homestyle!!!!

The best bakery!

I stopped there a lot when we lived there. It was the best bakery, for sure.

Suzi Kulibert Monnier - I sure miss this place and your mom and all the other Krenzelok's. I wish we could have a bakery like that again.

EVERYTHING at the Ladysmith Bakery was the BEST! I have never tasted a better Fried Cinnamon Roll than theirs. Oh, how I miss that place.

We absolutely LOVED the Ladysmith Bakery!

I can still smell it! Best Bismarck's and fried cinnamon rolls ever!!

Phyllis Reidner Peterson - Oh yes. When my mom was in the nursing home, she would ask me to bring her a LONG JOHN.

Best cinnamon rolls ever.

It was such a heavenly smell walking in there, the best birthday cakes ever with that pineapple filling!!!!!!!!!!

Kathi R. - I remember helping Mary Barbara clean the baking pans on Saturday morning, of course we swiped the frosting off first!! It was only a few times but fun.

Just 1 more loaf of bread and a dozen buns...life would be complete! That place and staff we're awesome!

Patty R. - My mom, Dolores Martin was born and grew up in the 2-story house across the back alley from Krenzelok's. She worked there for a while when she was in high school. I remember always picking up a bag of Krenzelok's bismarks for breakfast whenever we visited. Here is a great example how far and wide that bakery was known: In 1965 my brother was in a "foxhole" in Vietnam with a few other guys. One guy from Missouri was telling the others about deer hunting in northern Wisconsin. He said they always drove through a little town called 'Ladysmith' to pick up a bag of the best, fresh, jelly filled rolls in the world, called 'Bismarks'! My brother said, "Krenzelok's bakery!" Yes, it was! And being praised for their bakery half way around the world!

Note: Thanks you Patty R., great story! and for your post on the Martin's and for being our neighobers. Our family grew up with your family. You're family is part of our story. Please see the link below to your family's story - Greg Krenzelok

Best bakery in the world...

To get something from the bakery was a real treat !!

That bakery was a huge part of my life, for those wonderful people that we lost, may they all rest in peace, and miss you every day dad (Bud) to others, thanks for the memories.

I loved their Bismarks.

Wonderful people, place and I loved the smell!

The cream puffs and brownies were my favorite.

It was the best and the nicest people worked there. Do miss the place.

Dick N. - The family of Joe and Helen Krenzelok were my second family. Joe was even my confirmation sponsor and I took his name during that celebration. I loved that family and have lots of great memories.

Dick N. - Of course, I remember Dolores! I spent a good bit of time at that bakery with Tom Krenzelok. I grew up on bakery from that place. I lived in Merrill for 5 years and once a month we'd go back to stock up on bread, rolls and other items. Paul, Joes brother, would always give my two kids a slice of dough to go home with and bake a tiny loaf of bread. That was so sweet. And I remember when I popped in the back when Paul was celebrating Joes birthday and was greeted like family and had a good snort of brandy to celebrate with. Good thing baking was done for the day.

One of the best smells ever!! Sure, do miss it and all those delish baked things they made. Miss your mom too!

The fabulous smell as you walked in the bakery. Never forget. Your Mom was the best.

I sure miss her, and the bakery of course!

For a while, I worked about a 1/2 block away from the bakery, and we'd walk over to get fresh, still warm donuts/rolls. Mmmmmm, mmmmmm, good!

Sooooo good! I remember it all so well.

Yummy, I loved it in there the smell was delicious itself.

Note: The Ladysmith Bakery was a part of the life's of a lot of people! Thank you all for your comments. It means so much to the Krenzelok family!!!

Book: My life in Ladysmith. The Krenzelok's are in there! I enjoyed the book very much and learning more about living in Ladysmith from 1928 to 1948. We have a huge amount of the Martin house in our Krenzelok pictures. It make a great gift!
- Greg Krenzelok

In 1908, Francis Martin and his wife Margaret moved to the small town of Ladysmith, Wisconsin to open a dry goods and grocery store. Once settled they began raising a family (seven boys and three girls). Their ninth child was a boy born on June 8, 1928 who they named Louie. Unfortunately, a year after his birth the stock market crashed and the U.S. and the world collapsed into The Great Depression. His father, although an educated man, was unemployed during the majority of Louie’s early formative years and these difficult times instilled in him an inner desire to excel in life no matter what the odds and with little help from anyone other than himself. When the U.S. entered World War II, he helped in the war effort to the extent his young age would allow by delivering telegrams at age 14, working in a hardware store at age 15 and on the railroad at age 16. At age 17, while working in Detroit Michigan, he obtained a pilot’s license. After graduating from high school, he joined the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program and was commissioned a second Lieutenant and a pilot one-year later. The author relives these exciting times with extraordinary clarity in 261 pages and 161 photos.

MY LIFE IN LADYSMITH BY LOU MARTIN
Purchase on Amazon link:
My life in Ladysmith

INTERESTING LINKS:

REMEMBER LADYSMITH, WISCONSIN WHEN
Click on the below link:
Remember Ladysmith, Wisconsin when

GROWING UP IN TONY WISCONSIN
Click on the below link:
Growing up in Tony Wisconsin

THE LADYSMITH NEWS
Click on the below link:
The Ladysmith News

LADYSMITH WISCONSIN - What's going on in Ladysmith.
Click on the below link:
Ladysmith Wisconsin

OUR KRENZELOK FAMILY LINKS:
Click on the below Links:

Krenzelok website Homepage

Contact US - Related Links - Ladysmith - Our Relatives in Poland - Paul and Elizabeth - Frances - Anne - Paul - Joseph - Joseph Military - Bette - Robert - Robert Military - Edward - Dolores - Lillian - Kronprinzessin Cecilie - Kronprinzessin Cecilie 2 - Ellis Island - The Post - The Bakery - Our Wyoming Krenzelok - History - The Steerage Experience - Family Pictures - Family Pictures 2 - Family Pictures 3 - Family Pictures 4