Joseph "Joe" A. Mazna

Loving husband, cherished father, treasured grandfather, the kind, gentle soul of Joseph (Joe) Mazna was welcomed to heaven when he passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Born on December 29, 1937 to the late Adolph and Lillian (Sauer) Mazna, Joe was a life-long member of the Denmark community. On September 5, 1959, Joe married Elizabeth (Liz) Bartel, whisking her away from St. Nazianz to own and operate the family farm which they did as true partners. Joe and Liz committed their lives to the century family farm where they raised their three children, Alan, Cheryl and Connie.
Joe is survived by his wife of 61 years, Liz, and their children Alan (Jackie), Cheryl (Paul) VandenLangenberg, and Connie (John) Bennett. Joe adored his grandchildren, Kelan, Kelsey (friend Jack Collins) and Kendall (friend Josie Klarkowski) VandenLangenberg, and Amanda and Benjamin Wyngaard and avidly attended and supported every grandchild’s games and music performances. Further survived by sisters-in law, Dorothy Edwards, Aggie (Keith Powell) Brennan, Janel Bartel, Lynn Ann (Jim) Greicar and family friend Gary Schultz. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, in-laws George and Catherine Bartel, Irvin Edwards, Mary Ann and Jim Leschke, Leo Bartel, Shirley Bartel, and his beloved farm companion, Chip.
Joe’s life was filled with many great friendships that started on the fastpitch softball field. These friends turned into family and many memorable stories that include Wes and JoAnn, Keith and Joyce, Paul and Ginny, and Annette and Roger (Hoya Hoya!). The OpiHyMa Deer Hunting Buckrutters Club offered Joe years of friendship and mischief. Neighbors and church members knew Joe and his forever helping hand in so many ways.
Joe attended Bungalow School and graduated with the Class of 1955 from Denmark High School. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm & Industry Short Course which committed him to a become a lifetime Badger fan. But his passion was the Green Bay Packers, a love he passed down to each child. Joe attended the Ice Bowl, seated in the stadium’s top row, and regrets not keeping that ticket stub. Along with owning and operating the family farm, Joe was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity New Denmark parish, serving as lector and organist. He also was a board/charter member of the Denmark FFA Alumni, an officer of WFLA Lodge 108, and served as Town of New Denmark Supervisor.
Above all, Joe valued faith and family and that is where his life’s work was focused. Hard working hands are now at rest. Rest in Love, Joe, Daddy and Grandpa.
Due to the COVID pandemic, a private funeral service will be held. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at a later date when all can gather in safety.