John "Jack" Martzahl

John P. “Jack” Martzahl, 85, Wrightstown, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 21, 1927 in Kaukauna, son of the late William and Genevieve Martzahl. After attending Holy Cross Catholic School he started working at Manitowoc Ship Yards in 1943. Following his job at Manitowoc Ship Yards he began to work at Thilmany Pulp and Paper in 1944. While working at Thilmany’s he was drafted in the Army from 1946 to 1947 and was stationed in Korea. After returning he joined the American Legion Urban Klister Post 436 for an astounding 62 years. In 1969, he was inducted to the Quarter Century Club at Thilmany’s. Jack also enjoyed the 18 years spent working at Bowers Brothers Feed Mill in Wrightstown and met many lifelong friends. Jack was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed the Packers, Brewers, Badgers and NASCAR and never missed a game. When he wasn’t watching sports you could find him in his garden or driving his John Deere tractors. On June 3, 1950 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kaukauna, he married the love of his life, Rita Baeten. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rita; his 5 children: Shari (Mike) Petersen, Hollandtown; Joe (Donna) Martzahl, Greenleaf; Pam (Randy) Kaster, De Pere; Rick (Deb), De Pere; Dan (Janine) Martzahl, Green Bay. He will be truly missed by his grandchildren: Cora and Curt Bradley, Jen and Jeremy Zahringer, Abbey and Andy Adrian, Mike and Rachaele Petersen, Jamie, Jonathon, Jordan and Jackson Martzahl, and Andrea and Kaitlin Martzahl; great-grandchildren: Gavin and Wyatt Bradley, Sophia, Cayden, Grayson, and Trystan Zahringer, Emma and Evan Adrian; Haiden Martzahl; and Taylor Martzahl. He is also survived by his sisters: Mary Krueger, Germaine Mc Cabe, Mary Jane (Bob) Milhieser, Ann (Tom) Jansen; and brothers: Gerald Martzahl, Paul (Sandy) Martzahl; sisters-in-law, Teresa Martzahl; Rita’s siblings: Clayton Baeten, John Baeten, James (Carol) Baeten; sisters-in-law, Shirley Baeten and Helen Baeten. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ron; son-in-law, Jeff Roehrborn; sisters: Joan Lee and Clara VanDyke; brother, Joseph Franklin, Eugene (Vivian) Martzahl; brothers-in-law: Leon and Howard McCabe, Ed, Robb (Sal), and Marvin Baeten; sisters-in-law: Agnes (Lee) Ganzyke, Leona (Robert) Merkl, Catherine Baeten, and Maureen Baeten. Family and friends may call Thursday, April 18, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Clare Parish-St. Paul site, Wrightstown, where there will be a Parish Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday at church from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of Mass at 11:00 a.m., with Fr. Bob Kabat officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul Cemetery. Cotter Funeral Home, Wrightstown, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank ThedaCare, Dr. Alan Cherkasky, and R.N. Bonnie, for their special care of Dad, and especially the ThedaCare Hospice staff and special sports friend and nurse—Dawn. And a special thank you to our Uncle Paul for being there for Dad.