Josephine “Joe” M. Baczek, 85, a longtime tavern owner in Chicago and Round Lake Park, died Sunday, March 10, of congestive heart failure in her home in Round Lake Park. Mrs. Baczek and her late husband, Eugene, spent many decades in the tavern business. “They just followed the family members before them,” said their son, Jan, who also runs a bar. The Baczeks started running bars together in Chicago in the 1940s. But they tired of the big city, wanting a quieter place to run a business. So in 1955, they moved to Round Lake Park, where they owned and operated Gene’s Beach Inn. Mrs. Baczek would hold court at the place, appearing a bit crusty to those who didn’t know her. “She’d come off hard initially, but once you knew her, you knew she was kind,” said her son. When she wasn’t managing the bar, Mrs. Baczek bowled and played golf and pool with friends. Until recently, she was in a billiards league. Mrs. Baczek also worked hard to care for her extended family. Her brother died in World War II, and her sister died at a young age. Mrs. Baczek took in her sister’s daughter then, raising her as her own. “It’s something she knew she should do–and she did,” said her son. Other survivors include a daughter, Judy Olsen; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 114 N. Lincoln Ave., Round Lake.
