John Dekarske

John Dekarske, age 76, a lifelong resident of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away peacefully on October 14th, 2025.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 24th, from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, 750 10th Avenue South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495. A mass will follow at 12:00 PM at the church, with Father Barry Saylor presiding.
John was born on October 16th, 1948, in Wisconsin Rapids, the youngest of five children, to Rose and Walter Dekarske.
After graduating from Assumption High School, John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971. He was deployed to Vietnam for eleven months, where he displayed immense courage, earning two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. John was a founding member and president of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and he was celebrated on the Honor Flight in October 2019. He was deeply proud of his service and rarely left home without his Vietnam Veteran hat and jacket. Upon returning home from the service, he began his 40-year career as an electrical lineman for Consolidated Water Power Company.
On July 24th, 1999, John married the love of his life, Patricia. They enjoyed 26 years of marriage before his passing. John was a great man whose sincere kindness, service, and dedication to his family and community left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He was the definition of generosity, always willing to do anything for anyone. His personality was always welcoming and full of fun. His infectious laugh brought joy to those around him, and he hugged everyone as a hello, thank you and goodbye.
John was dedicated to his sons, their activities and their upbringing. He coached baseball for all his sons' teams for many years and traveled the state for club hockey and go-kart racing. John was not only devoted to his sons but their teammates as well, often taking all the kids for ice cream or taking them home after practice and games. John spoke proudly of his sons' adult accomplishments and adventures as well.
In his youth, John was a ski jumper. He also was an avid downhill skier throughout his adult life. John loved car racing, especially when he had the opportunity to race his stock car and rarely missed a NASCAR race. John was a dedicated volunteer and member of the Men's Club at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. In his free time, John enjoyed the quiet solitude of deer and turkey hunting and the camaraderie of prairie dog hunting with his son, Tyler.
His greatest passion was woodworking. From his well-equipped workshop, he crafted countless cherished gifts-cutting boards, bowls, flag boxes, and shelves for friends and family. For his beloved grandchildren, he made beautiful wooden trains, trucks, cars, rocking horses, and doll cribs, never selling a single item but instead choosing to share his talent and love freely. For the past ten years, he was an active member of the Central Wisconsin Woodturners.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Dekarske, and children: Jason (Jill) Dekarske, Ben (Adrienne) Dekarske, Tyler (Amanda) Dekarske, and Suzy (Kurt) Zellmann. He was adored by his eight grandchildren: Clara, Ethan, Harry, Katherine, Landon, Logan, Katelyn, and Kolby. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his daughter Gail Seefeldt, his parents Walter and Rose, his sisters Jean (Leonard) Kizewski and Diane (Dan) Schnell, his brothers Dick and Jim (Leona), and other cherished family members.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the kindness of all of John's neighbors who have tirelessly cared for Pat, Dakari, and their home.