Paul Joseph Jirikovec

Paul Joseph Jirikovec, 78, Maribel, passed away peacefully to go with the Father in Heaven on May 10, 2015 after a courageous battle of ALS and lung cancer. Born on March 4, 1937 to Wencil and Evelyn (Pelishek) Jirikovec on the family farm in New Denmark. Paul graduated from Denmark High School, Class of 1955. He served in the US Army from 1955-1957 and was stationed in Okinawa. Paul married his lovely wife of 49 years, Janice Siebold on November 6, 1965 at St. James Catholic Church in Cooperstown, WI. He worked at National Can/American National/American Can as a mechanic machine operator. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, family and friends. He especially loved to listen to polka music and on the top of his list was his son’s band—“the Mark Jirikovec Band”. He had a life filled with much joy and happiness. He cared deeply about others and put their feelings in front of his own. He enjoyed and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, going to Packer games and watching the Wisconsin Badgers. He enjoyed bowling with his many friends. Paul was a member of Holy Trinity/All Saints Catholic Church, Denmark. He had a strong faith and always trusted in the Lord’s will. Paul is survived by his loving and caring wife, Janice; his children, Mark and very special friend Dawn Sprang and son, Jeff; Sue and Michael Gaworek and their children Greta, Milena and Michaela; and his youngest son, David; one brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Dorothy Jirikovec; brothers and sisters-in-law: George and Joann Raymaker, William Siebold Jr. and special friend Karen Kohn, Richard and Linda Schlies, Tom and Susie Siebold and Mark and Mary VandenLangenberg; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wencil and Evelyn Jirikovec; sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Dan Clancy; sister-in-law, Gloria Siebold; nephew, Rick Raymaker; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Eleanor Siebold Sr.; grandparents, Adam and Katherine Jirikovec and Adolph and Frances Pelishek. Family and friends may visit Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 Cty R, Denmark, on Friday, May 15, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where the evening will conclude at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The family will then process to All Saints Catholic Church in Denmark for an 11:00 a.m. Mass, with Fr. Kevin Ori officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. Paul’s family extends a special thank you to special friends Francis and Carol Rabas for all their kindness and help, to Paul Rabas, all his physicians involved in his care through the VA; Dr. Barkhaus, Dr. Bhatia, Dr. Antenescu, Dr. Gore, and Dr. Bayer, Ruth NP and Dan RN, and to his nurses Tanya, Debbie, and Sara from Holy Family Home Health for the loving care given to Paul and to the many family members who helped. A special thanks also to Fr. Kevin Ori, Deacon Cal Naidl and Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, especially Eric.