Josephine Marie (Bowatz) Bachinski, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on February 24th, 2022, at the age of 92.
But death is not the conclusion of her saga. Instead, it's a page break in a book that never ends. So let me take you back to the beginning, let me share with you the tale of Jo Bachinski.
On September 3rd, 1929, the near century long story of Josephine began. She was the youngest child of Alois and Mary Bowatz. And it was on the family farm in Kimball, Minnesota, that the legend started to take form, that a star began to rise.
Ferociously-determined and fiercely-independent from the cradle, it was only a matter of time before she set upon her first conquest, the serious business of acquiring knowledge. Ever the scholar, and forever driven by an insatiable curiosity, it seemed only fitting that she'd unwittingly meet her soul mate in a rural schoolhouse. Though to a studious little Josephine who only wanted to focus on her studies, the distractions created by a rambunctious little boy named George weren't particularly well received.
Nevertheless, history rolled onward, and destiny had decided that Josephine and George were fated to be together. She married at 19 and headed to Minneapolis with her groom. There, the couple welcomed what would be the first of seven children, young but undaunted, learning the ropes as they bounced along. But it wasn't long before the growing family withdrew from the hustle and bustle of the city and returned to their salt of the earth roots, to the serenity of the country.
The first stop was a brief stay in North Kingston, before ultimately settling down on a hilltop farm in Jordan that, for 20 years, would serve as the nursery for a growing Bachinski Clan. It was there that she brokered truces, quelled fistfights, filled bellies, and mended souls. It was there that she imparted life's most important lessons, inspired the next generation, and forged bonds that time cannot break.
Yet after decades of non-stop multi-tasking, strictly adhering to an ethos that shunned standing idle, the nest had nonetheless grown emptier, and it was time to head for smaller pastures. But it was at her final stop in the outskirts of New Prague that the commotion settled down, and all who sought her were able to bask in her superhuman glow.
It was there, on four acres now hallowed, that multiple generations were able to sit in complete awe and truly appreciate what stood before them. The matriarch that raised a tribe. The saint that never lost faith. The champion that never lost heart. The counselor that never steered anyone astray. The guardian that never wavered. The remarkable glue that held everything together.
Daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend. Josephine.
And while the darkness of grief now envelopes us, a light of peace shines through. For at this very moment, she's being kept company in Heaven by her beloved husband George, her adored son Gary, and her cherished grandson Charles.
Though Josephine has moved on to a place far greater, her legacy on this plane endures in the form of her children, Georgia (Andy) Rehbein, Donna Heitz, Ken (Cindy Meyer) Bachinski, Dan Bachinski, Linda (Jim) Janovsky, and Paula (Carl Johnson) Bachinski; grandsons, Shawn (Erica Shepard) Bachinski, Eric (Angela) Bachinski, Adam (Melanie) Rehbein, Mason (Jessica) Rehbein, and Jesse Heitz; granddaughters, Mary Janovsky, Nicole Janovsky, and Kelsey Janovsky; great-granddaughters, Malorie Rehbein, and Lindsey Bishop; great-grandsons, Josh Rehbein, and Jaden Brace; along with numerous generations of nephews and nieces.
Josephine will be honored with a Visitation to be held on Thursday, March 3rd, from 4:00-7:00 PM at Bruzek Funeral Home (610 Main Street East, New Prague). A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, March 4th at 10:00 AM, at The Church of St. Wenceslaus (215 Main Street East, New Prague). Mass will be live-streamed on npcatholic.org. The Rite of Committal will take place at Cavalry Cemetery in Jordan.
And though this solemn occasion marks the final chapter of Josephine's earthly journey, it also signals the dawn of a new one that is eternal. And while those who knew and loved her, the legions spread far and wide, mourn her absence, we find comfort in being able to carry her everlasting presence forward through the ages.
