Wonder Lake, Ill.— Patti Stasiak, president and partner of All American Wood Register Co., passed away on March 24 after a battle with bone cancer. She was 59.

Tom Stasiak, her husband and partner, and the company’s vice president, said “We found out [about the bone cancer] very recently, but she apparently had had it for some time. It was already in Stage III by the time we learned of it, and had grown quite aggressive. We had less than two months between diagnosis and the time she passed.”

Patti joined the 32-year-old family business in the mid ’80s and was described by employees as “the backbone of the company.”

“She was dedicated to every phase of the business,” said a company spokesperson, “and took an active role in the industry.”

Stasiak served on the Membership Committee of the National Wood Flooring Association ( NWFA) from 1997 to 2004. She was also the secretary/treasurer of the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of the Forest Products Industry. In addition she was the contact person of the group’s Ken Hallgren of Northern Illinois Hoo-Hoo Club #39, an international organization founded in 1892 to help preserve and educate on lumber use in the building trade, stressing quality and integrity. Being in the Hoo-Hoo Club was a special honor as she was one of only a few females to be included in it.

Outside of the industry Stasiak was active in helping battered women by volunteering her time at shelters where she not only helped counsel victims, she helped the centers with their administrative tasks.

Bill Sullivan of Trades Publishing, publisher of Job Site Magazine, called her “a remarkable lady. She helped us get our business started by being one of our first customers and always continued to support us.

“Personally, she was wonderful,” he added. “She was always upbeat and optimistic and I never saw her without a smile. Her personality truly rubbed off on people as you always left happy after spending a few minutes with her. She will truly be missed.”

“She had a fabulous personality and a great sense of humor,” added the spokesperson. “She was also a very fair person in that she never had any preconceived notions about someone and always gave you a chance.”

Her husband, Tom stressed All American Wood remains active and that things are getting back to a normal business routine, though it has been difficult. “We discussed everything and Patti did a good job training our administrative staff. Our customers needn’t worry about any blips in our service or quality,” adding that her high standards of quality and integrity are ingrained in the business.

“Everyone loved Patti,” he continued. “She was a diligent worker, but she really knew how to have fun. We’re all going to miss her so much, but we have to keep going. She gave her all to this industry and we’re very proud of everything she helped accomplish. We’re determined to honor her by continuing to take care of this company into which she poured heart and soul.”

In addition to Tom, Patti is survived by three sons, Daniel Hackman of Cary, Ill.; Thomas Hackman of Chicago, and Jeffrey of Crystal Lake, Ill., and 10 grandchildren.

Due to the rapid development of her disease, it forced her to have expensive treatments and now the family faces medical bills in excess of $150,000. Harris Bank of Wonder Lake has worked with the family to create the Stasiak Family Fund. It is requested that in lieu of flowers or other memorials, donations be made to the fund to help protect the home and business.

Donations can be sent to The Stasiak Family Fund, c/o All American Wood Register Co., P.O. Box 348, Wonder Lake, Ill., 60097.