Obit: Koltis, Joseph Anton (1932 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Koltis, Kosnowicz, Olson, Cox, Lobacz, Bogue, Pabich

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 8/10/2016

Koltis, Joseph Anton (3 February 1932 - 6 August 2016) With Flag

Joseph Anton Koltis, age 84, went to heaven after a courageous battle with cancer, on Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Clark County Rehabilitation & Living Center in Owen.

Joe’s early life began on February 3, 1932, when he was born in Thorp, WI to Anton & Josephine (Kosnowicz) Koltis. He grew up in the Town of Reseburg on the family farm and attended Thorp area schools. Joe worked for Pete Pabich doing remodeling and cabinetry while taking over the family farm. Later, he was inducted into the U. S. Army on May 8, 1956, and served with the Unit Battery B-2 HOW 7th Artillery near the end of the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge on March 31, 1958, he married Karen Jean Olson on June 3, 1961, at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. He continued farming and doing construction work until he sold the family farm and bought a much larger farm southwest of Thorp in 1970.

Not only did he do the necessary farm chores, he remodeled the house, built a shed and garage and updated the barn. He also did custom combining and helped care for the many foster kids that became part of his family and home.

He enjoyed working in his machine shop repairing tractors, machines, combines, etc. He would even paint them. No matter what was broken, he could fix it!! He also loved antiquing and visiting with the many people he met.

Joe is survived by his wife, Karen of Thorp; four children: Cheryl (Mike) Cox of Stanley, Ronald (Deb) Koltis of Thorp, Joseph Koltis of Hermman, UT, and Karen A. (Tom Lobacz) Koltis of Stanley; three grandchildren: Joseph Cox, Andrew Cox, and Katelynn Cox; one great-granddaughter: Cheyanne Cox; two brothers: Walter Koltis and Jerome Koltis; two sisters: Leocadia Bogue and Sister Kathleen Koltis; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters: Genevieve, Harriet, Helen, and Adella; and five brothers: Frank, Ted, Ben, Edward, and Adolph.

Joe enjoyed farming, fixing things, family outings & get-togethers and was a friend to everyone.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Thorp Funeral Home in Thorp. Private interment will take place at a later date. Visitation will be held on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be expressed at: www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.