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Joseph Tanski Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Tanski
Sponsored by Hartson Funeral Home - Hales Corners.
Mary Deters
March 7, 2025
I ran across this obituary while searching for Valerie Ritter's name on the internet. Seeing Coach Tanski's name brought back so many positive memories of a caring, loving and inspiring man/father figure whom everyone at St. Joseph's Home for Children loved and admired. Everything Valerie Ritter wrote in her tribute to him is so true and she speaks for everyone whose life he touched/entered. Rest in peace, Joe Tanski - you are in God's arms
October 28, 2019
I just learned of this today. I, too, was raised at St. Joseph's Home for Children and will always remember what a nice man "Coach Tanski" was. Everything that Valerie Barsema Ritter said in her condolence note is true and exactly the way I feel. Rest in Peace, Coach Tanski.
Al Lesak
October 27, 2016
I just learned of his passing. Thanks for all you've done, coach.
Ralph Leese
May 13, 2016
Like a Father to all of us boys at St. Joes. Truly sorry for your loss of a great man, Ralph C. Leese
Valerie Ritter
May 12, 2016
We offer our heartfelt sympathies to the family of Joe Tanski. The Barsema siblings (George, Vivian, Valerie & Faith) were raised at St. Joseph Home for Children on 18th & Euclid. Joe played a HUGE role and set a very important example as a mentor, confidante, and counselor to all of us at St. Joe's. He spent a lot of time with the various groups of boys, involving them in athletics, bringing in community business people to entertain us with sports clips and bloopers (courtesy of Zip Morgan), our official bus driver to and from Villa St. Joe's in Delafield, coaching us at baseball games at St. Joe's. He guided us into adulthood as responsible contributors to society, was never too busy to take time to help kids who were undergoing difficulties or in need of advice or just a friend. He was such a happy go lucky man and a true guardian angel to all of us growing up at St. Joe's. Thank you to his family for your unselfish generosity in sharing him with us for so many years.
Valerie (Barsema) Ritter (Milwaukee, WI)
George Barsema (New York State)
Faith Barsema (Texas)
Vivian Barsema (deceased)
George Barsema
May 12, 2016
Coach Tanski was a great role model for all us young men while serving as our athletic coach at St. Joe's Orphanage in the 60's. He was a great scoutmaster and someone who helped me become the person that I am today. Rest in Peace Coach!!!
George Barema
St. Joe's Orphanage
Harold Anderson
May 12, 2016
Fond memories of our teenage years come back to me, Joe including when you nicknamed me "Spit." Rest in peace till we bike together again.
Kurt Schmidt
May 11, 2016
Joanne/Diane: So sorry for your loss! Uncle Joe was a great man, loving husband and father. I always enjoyed talking sports
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Hartson Funeral Home - Hales Corners11111 West Janesville Road, Hales Corners, WI 53130
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