John N. Petricka

John N. Petricka, 56, of Eau Claire, died on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

On July 11, 1967, John was born to Leonard and Patricia (Kern) Petricka, in Fairbault, MN. He attended Fairbault High School graduating with the class of 1985. He then attended Dakota County Technical College in Rosemont, MN. On September 1, 1990, John married Denise Hanson in Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls.

John was an incredibly kind, caring, and thoughtful person. Although he had a gentle demeanor, his dimply smile lit up every room he was in. His family meant the world to him, and he was particularly proud of his new title of Grandpa. John loved to grill at family dinners. Sometimes he was the grill master, and other times the grill mastered him - nothing a tall glass of milk or a cold beer couldn't fix. Time on the water in the summertime was time well spent, especially on his one-of-a-kind tiki boat. He was always working on various projects, often all at once, which sometimes made us wonder if he would ever finish any of them. But the truth was that he enjoyed the process more than anything else. To have known John was to love him. 

He took great pleasure in watching his daughter, Kary, excel in track during college and spent countless hours working on projects with his sons, Kyle and Kurt. Most of all, John loved to explore the world with his beloved wife, Denise.

John is survived by his wife, Denise; children, Kyle (Becky) Petricka, Kurt (Taite) Petricka, and Kary Petricka; grandsons, Luke and Wells Petricka; parents, Leonard and Pat Petricka; siblings, LuAnn Petricka, Lenny (Laurie) Petricka, Mark (Stacy) Petricka, Steve (Lisa) Petricka, Kathy (Mike) Schweizer, and Jason (Angie) Petricka; sister-in-law, Pam Petricka; mother-in-law, Ann (George) Hanson; brother-in-law, Kris Hanson; along with many nieces, nephews other loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Petricka.

The visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, at Central Lutheran Church, 28 E. Columba St., Chippewa Falls.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 2, at Central Lutheran Church, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Rev. Aaron Sturgis will be officiating. The interment will be in Prairie View Cemetery, Village of Lake Hallie, WI.