John R. Kotek, 88, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin died peacefully on September 23, 2024 at the Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg, Wisconsin surrounded by his loving family. There will be a memorial gathering for John at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Beaver Dam on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.Continue Reading
John R. Kotek, 88, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin died peacefully on September 23, 2024 at the Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg, Wisconsin surrounded by his loving family.
There will be a memorial gathering for John at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Beaver Dam on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at church beginning at 11:30 a.m.
John was born on January 1, 1936 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Alice Turek and Ben Kotek. He was a 1953 graduate of New Prague High School and proudly served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. He graduated from Stout State College in 1959 and chose education as his career path. John taught Industrial Arts in Prairie du Chien, Green Bay, and Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. While pursuing a Master’s Degree at Winona State and Cardinal Stritch, he switched his educational focus to working with students with special needs. He served as Director of Special Education with CESA 6 for 29 years and retired in 1998. John was passionate about advancing the lives of children and young adults with special needs.
Not only an educator, John was also an adventurer and humanitarian. He loved to travel the world, garden, bike, golf, read, and study history. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was one of the founders of Beaver Dam’s Green Valley Enterprises and a blood donor for more than seven decades. The Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers can now count on his loyal support from heaven.
John will be sadly missed by his wife, Mary, of almost 67 years and their five children: John (Cheryl) Kotek, Jim (Tina) Kotek, Sandy (Mark) Kitzman, Sue (Jim) Addamo, and Sarah (Jason) Hassel; fifteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and brother Stan (Robyn) Mariska. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley Mariska, a brother, Harold, and a sister, Judy.
Memorials may be made to Green Valley Enterprises or a charity of your choice.
You can remember him and only that he is gone.
Or you can cherish the memory and let it live on.
Or you can do what he would want:
Smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.
Christine AGuilera
left a message on October 2, 2024:
Dear Mary and family - My sincere condolences on the loss of John. We are keeping all of your in our thoughts and prayers. Christine
Kay and jack stellpflug
left a message on October 2, 2024:
Mary and family,
With sadness comes celebration of a wonderful life of love, joy and contribution. We are thinking of you and send our sympathy.
Kay and Jack
Anonymous
left a message on October 2, 2024:
Anonymous
left a message on October 1, 2024:
Annette Kamps
left a message on October 1, 2024:
My deepest sympathy. Oh, what a beautiful life you and John have shared, Mary! May it be a comfort as your heart aches. John was a very special, giving, loving, wise man and gave immeasurable help and inspiration to the education community and otherwise.
Love,
Annette
Anonymous
left a message on September 30, 2024:
Anonymous
left a message on September 30, 2024:
Anonymous
left a message on September 29, 2024:
Joanne Novotny
left a message on September 26, 2024:
Auntie Mary and family:;
With sympathy and loving thoughts to all of you at the passing of Uncle John. Remember now the good times and hold tight the memories. Godspeed.
Love, Joanne Novotny
Tanya Kelsen
left a message on September 26, 2024:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Badger Honor Flight
left a message on September 26, 2024:
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of John Kotek. We are forever grateful for John's service to our great country. What an honor it was for us to take him on his well-deserved trip of a lifetime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Toviao Hopkins & Family
left a message on September 25, 2024:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family…
Darlene Van Drisse
left a message on September 25, 2024:
An innovative educator! So helpful back then for special needs children to be welcomed in the schools. Applause.
And a great family in the BDam community.
Dave & Judy Johnsen
left a message on September 25, 2024:
Our deepest sympathy to Mary and family. John was a great neighbor and he will be greatly missed. RIP John.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Mark Kitzman
left a message on September 25, 2024:
John always treated me like one of his own sons, I will always remember that. He knew how to love. I plan to see John again someday, until then Semper fi .
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Christine AGuilera
left a message on October 2, 2024:
Dear Mary and family - My sincere condolences on the loss of John. We are keeping all of your in our thoughts and prayers. Christine
Kay and jack stellpflug
left a message on October 2, 2024:
Mary and family,
With sadness comes celebration of a wonderful life of love, joy and contribution. We are thinking of you and send our sympathy.
Kay and Jack
Anonymous
left a message on October 2, 2024:
Anonymous
left a message on October 1, 2024:
Annette Kamps
left a message on October 1, 2024:
My deepest sympathy. Oh, what a beautiful life you and John have shared, Mary! May it be a comfort as your heart aches. John was a very special, giving, loving, wise man and gave immeasurable help and inspiration to the education community and otherwise.
Love,
Annette
Anonymous
left a message on September 30, 2024:
Anonymous
left a message on September 30, 2024:
Anonymous
left a message on September 29, 2024:
Joanne Novotny
left a message on September 26, 2024:
Auntie Mary and family:;
With sympathy and loving thoughts to all of you at the passing of Uncle John. Remember now the good times and hold tight the memories. Godspeed.
Love, Joanne Novotny
Tanya Kelsen
left a message on September 26, 2024:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Badger Honor Flight
left a message on September 26, 2024:
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of John Kotek. We are forever grateful for John's service to our great country. What an honor it was for us to take him on his well-deserved trip of a lifetime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Toviao Hopkins & Family
left a message on September 25, 2024:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family…
Darlene Van Drisse
left a message on September 25, 2024:
An innovative educator! So helpful back then for special needs children to be welcomed in the schools. Applause.
And a great family in the BDam community.
Dave & Judy Johnsen
left a message on September 25, 2024:
Our deepest sympathy to Mary and family. John was a great neighbor and he will be greatly missed. RIP John.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Mark Kitzman
left a message on September 25, 2024:
John always treated me like one of his own sons, I will always remember that. He knew how to love. I plan to see John again someday, until then Semper fi .
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