Joseph G. Potaracke Jr.

Joseph G. Potaracke Jr., 57, of La Crosse, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at the Gundersen Lutheran Health System surrounded by his loving family. He was born in La Crosse on June 17, 1957 to Joseph and Shirley (Vodde) Potaracke Sr. Joe was a 1975 graduate of Aquinas High School and was proud to have been on the Aquinas wrestling team. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the US Army Infantry, and served most of his duty at the DMZ in Korea. Joe was later married and had two children, Joshua and Jennifer.
Joe was a kind and caring person, asking little of life. He was an avid reader and knowledgeable about many things. As a young boy he enjoyed nature, the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and just observing. His constant companion was his little Chihuahua “Tater”. They were always together.
He is survived by his mother Shirley Potaracke, a son Joshua, a daughter Jennifer, two brothers, Edward Potaracke of La Crosse and David (Kelly) Potaracke of Holmen, four sisters, Debra (Patrick) Verse, Mary Johnson, Lori (David) Noack, and Julie (Chris) Larson, all of La Crosse, and his good friends Kim and Butch. Joe was preceded in death by his father Joseph.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 24th, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Rev. Conrad Targonski, OFM will officiate. Private family committal service will be in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until the time of services.
We will miss and love Joe always. He so wonderfully enriched our lives and was a very special son, brother and uncle.