Montfort, WI-Joseph Charles Straka, age 86, died on Saturday April 26, 2014 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Joseph was born on Jan. 27, 1928 in Montfort the son of Wencel and Margaret (Winters) Straka. He was united in marriage to Hazel Vesperman on Jan. 26, 1952 in Fennimore and together they had 11 children.
After returning home from serving in the US Army, Joe went to work driving Semi for Russell Fortney for a few years and then worked at the Cobb Canning Factory. In 1955 he began farming in rural Montfort. He continued farming until moving into Montfort in 1999. Joe was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed farming, custom combining, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and bowling. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters, a Ruritan member, the Farm Bureau, and was inducted into the Iowa Co. Bowling Hall of Fame. Joe was a man dedicated to his beloved wife, family, and Lord. He enjoyed spending time with and supporting his grandchildren and great grandchildren and believed in lending a helping hand to others in need.
Joseph is survived by his wife Hazel of Dodgeville, ten children; Thomas (Kerith) Straka, Debra (Peter) Hoffman, David Straka, Melissia Straka, Donita (Ryan) Pilling all of Montfort, Margaret Straka Kuschel of Madison, William (Donna) Straka of Livingston, Karen (Ronald) Rundhaug, Angie (Scot) Johnsrud both of Dodgeville, Suzanne (Scott) Rueckheim of Muscoda, 31 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, four sisters; Helen Kite of Montfort, Mary Martin of Highland, Blanche Schuld of Marshfield, Lillian Zimmer of Glen Haven, and a brother Clarence Straka of Fennimore.
Joseph was preceded in death by his mother on June 27, 1937, his father on July 10, 1985, a son Timothy Straka in 1973, a grandson Steven Hoffman in 1994, a great-granddaughter Priscilla Hoffman in 2013, a brother Charles Straka in 2003 and a sister Margie Straka in 1950.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday morning April 30, 2014 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort with burial to follow in the church cemetery with Military Honors. Friends may call from 3-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday afternoon April 29, 2014 at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort where a prayer service will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Tuesday afternoon.