Martin Wotruba

Martin Wotruba, 90, Maribel, passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at a local hospital after a short illness with his family by his side. He was born March 11, 1922 in Maribel, WI, son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Reedy) Wotruba. Martin graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School in 1941. He worked building submarines at Manitowoc Shipbuilding from 1941 to 1944 then served his country in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946 in the 184th Infantry 7th Division. He spent two weeks on the Hawaiian Islands and entered the war in Okinawa. Martin was getting ready to leave Okinawa for Japan when Truman dropped the bomb on Japan. He then left to go to Korea where was stationed for 2 to 3 months but had to leave to come home due to his mother’s illness. Martin was a member of the Denmark VFW for 35 years. Martin spent three years driving semi for Les Johnson in Denmark then went back to Manitowoc Shipbuilding in 1950. He married Betty Rezek on June 17, 1950 at St. James Catholic Church in Cooperstown. He continued working at Manitowoc Shipbuilding until 1972, then went to Sturgeon Bay and built 10 boats that were 1000 feet. He retired from shipbuilding in 1984 then enjoyed carpentry until 2010. Martin especially enjoyed having a beer while watching the Green Bay Packers and playing Sheepshead. Survivors include his wife, Betty, Maribel; four children: Jeff (special friend-Mary Bushae) Wotruba, Manitowoc; Penny (Jim) Schuh, Mishicot; Bonnie (Rich) Rosek, Denmark; Tammy (Mark) Brantmeier, Denmark; ten grandchildren: Tyson (Amber) Wotruba, Matt (Gina) Wotruba, Rob (fiancé-Jamie DeWane) Rosek, Bridget (Doug) Vogel, Joe Rosek and special friend Julie Archiquette, Adam (Cassandra) Rosek, Kim Rosek and special friend Eric Capelle, and Molly Rosek; Riley and Leah Brantmeier; six great grandchildren: Katlyn, August, Breckin, and Griffin Wotruba, Faith and Paige Vogel; two step great grandchildren: Alexa and Kyara; and one is on the way; two sisters: Mary (Ira) Ropson, Dykesville, and Anna Rose Shimon, Maribel; sister-in-law, Arlene Wotruba, Maribel; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Verna Rezek, Mishicot, Irene (Emil) Kunstman, Two Rivers; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Martin was preceded in death by a son, Joey; two brothers: Jim (Bev) Wotruba, and Lawrence Wotruba; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis and Tillie (Salta) Rezek; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donald Shimon; Russell (Charlotte) Kittell, Vic Rezek, and Roy (Lucille) Rezek. Family and friends may call Sunday, February 24, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 Cty R, Denmark, where there will be a Parish Wake Service at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, Cooperstown, with Fr. Ralph Merkatoris officiating. Interment with full military rites will follow in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. The family extends a special thank you to the 4th floor doctors and nurses at Bellin Hospital and Unity Hospice for the kindness and compassion shown to Martin and his family, as well as Jim and Joanne Zipperer and Russell Kittell, Jr.