Joseph W. Rechek, age 87, of Beaver Dam, died Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Beaver Dam Community Hospital.
Visitation for Joe will be at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Friday, March 3, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at church from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 511 S. Spring Street in Beaver Dam, on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Michael J. Erwin will officiate. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
Joseph William Rechek was born on February 8, 1930 in the Town of Burnett, Dodge County, Wisconsin to the late Stencil and Mary (Gallagher) Rechek. After graduating from Beaver Dam High School in 1947, Joe was united in marriage with Mildred A. Voigt on May 10, 1952 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. The dedication of their life, and over 63 years of marriage and wedded bliss, included years of farm life where Joe and Millie counted on each other. After eight children, 26 grandchildren, and 44 great grandchildren and counting, their life was still bonded in love and commitment to each other.
Joe’s life was a farmer and it revolved around Millie, his children and his grandchildren; his passion was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Being a farmer included being a caretaker and teacher and much more. Everyone learned the ethics of hard work and responsibility including stone-picking, baling hay, etc. Rewards were sometimes ice cream and offers of wages being doubled…which were still zero. Kids learned silly rhymes and songs. Joe also loved to make hay and enjoyed the visits with his customers that bought his hay. This was a very good life and the legacy that he leaves is his faith in God and the abundance of love and pride that stays with us today and forever.
Not only did Joe farm his entire life, he enjoyed rebuilding and restoring old farm equipment; in fact, he still maintained the tractor his father bought new in the late 1930’s. He will also be remembered by many for the time he spent working at Green Giant in Beaver Dam. Joe also enjoy old-time music and dancing. He was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish and was a former member of the St. Patrick Holy Name Society. Joe also served the church as the sexton of St. Patrick Cemetery for 13 years and was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Pope John XXIII Council 1837 in Beaver Dam.
Survivors include four sons, Michael (Kim) Rechek of Eden, Gerry (Cindy) Rechek of Beaver Dam, Daniel (Coleen) Rechek of Randolph, and Brian (Sue) Rechek of Beaver Dam; three daughters, Mary (Andy) Rechek of Randolph, Valerie (Steve) Riese of Beaver Dam, and Cindy Nelson of Beaver Dam; son-in-law, Jim Stockwell of Waupun; 26 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, a sister, Rose Ann (Rueben) Callies of Beaver Dam; twosisters-in-law, Maggie Rechek and Shirley Rechek, both of Beaver Dam; and two brothers-in-law, Ollie Voigt and Harvey (Ellen) Voigt, both of Beaver Dam; other relatives and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a daughter, Patricia Stockwell; two brothers, Frank Rechek and Stan Rechek; and two sisters-in-law, Irene Voigt and Clara Mae Voigt.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, or for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com
