Joseph Arthur Vrchoticky

Joseph (Joe) A. Vrchoticky, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 28th after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family at the Bird House Hospice Home of Iowa City. Visitation will be held at 12:00 pm, Friday, December 5, 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Iowa City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1pm, with a reception to follow in the parish hall for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Birdhouse, Hospice Home of Johnson County.

Joe was born July 17, 1941, to Robert and Hazel Vrchoticky, one of thirteen children. His early childhood was spent living with his godparents, John and Barb Zahner of Cosgrove, IA. Joe graduated from Cosgrove High School in 1959 and five years later married Ruth Lenz, who remained his bride through their 61st wedding anniversary earlier this year.

The young couple made their home in Hills, where they welcomed three children. Joe worked for Jaydon, a distributor of health and beauty aids, before investing in a Pepperidge Farm franchise and later working for Hy-Vee Food Stores.

While in Hills, "Coach Joe" ran the Hills Ball Park, overseeing a variety of youth baseball programs and tournaments.

Always a lover of wide-open spaces, Joe and his father-in-law, Bill Lenz built a home on the outskirts of Iowa City's west side in the early 1980s. Eventually the city expanded to meet them, but it was here where Joe and Ruth raised their children, all of whom attended Roosevelt Elementary and Regina High School.

Joe was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #695. He participated in several bowling leagues, competing in local, regional and national competitions. He was an avid Hawkeye fan, particularly football and men's and women's basketball. He enjoyed golfing with friends and family, card games, and the films of John Wayne. Most of all, he cherished his time with his nine grandchildren and his newly arrived great grandson.

Joe is survived by his wife Ruth; son, Greg (Shay) Vrchoticky of Cedar Rapids, daughter Julie (Martin) Kelly of Lakeville, Minnesota; grandchildren, Marty, Caroline, Tommy, Nathan and Claire; and daughter Lauri (Jeff) Lang of Aurora, Illinois; grandchildren Michael (Jenny), William (Tatum), Matthew (Emma), Jeffrey; and great grandchild, Andrew. He is also survived by two sisters and three brothers, Sharon (Gaylen) Krenz, Pat (Roger) Litton, Ed (Donna) Vrchoticky, Rodney Vrchoticky, and Bruce (Mary) Vrchoticky.

Joe was preceded in death by sisters,Marilyn Nost, Darlene (Roland) Donovan, and Melva (Ken) Swartzendruber, as well as brothers, Bob Vrchoticky, Alan Vrchoticky, Jerry (Joan) Vrchoticky, and Darrell (Carol) Vrchoticky.