JOSEPH L. WANTOCH, SR.
Joseph L. Wantoch, Sr., age 73, of Fountain City, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, July 17, 2016, at the Gundersen Health System Hospital in La Crosse, following a short illness.
Joe was born on November 5, 1942, in Arcadia, WI, to Theodore and Olivia (Pronschinske) Wantoch, Sr. He was a graduate of Cochrane-Fountain City High School, and was proud to be the first graduating class from the new high school building. In 1967, Joe was united in marriage with LaVae Walker at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona.
Being raised on the family farm, farming was Joe’s heart and soul. He served as a member of the board of directors for the Buffalo County Farm Bureau for many years, and he also served on the Buffalo County Board of Adjustments. In recognition of lifelong dedication to farming, Joe and his family were recently recognized as the Buffalo County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year.
He was a member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, where he served as an usher for over 40 years. Joe and LaVae enjoyed square dancing, and were members of the Park Rec Squares in Winona, and later danced with the Happy Twirlers in La Crosse. He never missed an opportunity to support the Red Cross through blood donations, and was proud of reaching his 16 gallon milestone. Joe was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa who will be deeply missed by all those who loved him.
Joe is lovingly survived by his wife, LaVae, Fountain City; children: Valerie (Eric) Campbell, Cedar Rapids, IA; Joe “Tiger” Wantoch, Jr., Fountain City; and Jason (Nikki) Wantoch, Fountain City; his two granddaughters who were the apple of his eye, Avery and Eden Campbell; brothers and sisters: Mary Drury, Winona; Patricia Anderson, Waite Park, MN; Pauline (Wulf) Krause, Winona; Ted Wantoch, Jr., Onalaska, WI; and George Wantoch, Modovi, WI; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jerome; his parents; and an infant sister, Elaine.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 22, 2016, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. The Reverend Monsignor Richard M. Colletti will officiate.
Joe will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Thursday, July 21, 2016, from 4 PM until 7 PM, and will begin with the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary at 3:45 PM. Visitation will also be held at the Cathedral on Friday, July 22, 2016, from 9:30 AM until the time of the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials in Joe's name be directed to the Gundersen Medical Foundation Cancer Fund, 1836 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Online condolences or memories may be left for Joe’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.
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