Joseph D. Wojtysiak

RAMSAY, Mich. - Joseph D. Wojtysiak, age 87, of Ramsay, died on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota. Immediate family members were by his side. Cremation has taken place.

Joseph was born on May 29, 1936, to Sigmund and Ruth (Dutt) Wojtysiak in Lansing. He attended local schools including several Catholic schools. He attended one year at a seminary. He graduated from Sexton High School. After graduation, he enrolled at Michigan State University majoring in history and minoring in speech and drama, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1958.

Upon graduation, Joseph enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After basic training, he served a stint at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompac, California. His overseas duties took him to Iceland. He completed his tour of duty at Grand Forks Air Base in North Dakota, where he was honorably discharged in 1962.

Joseph's military experience was very positive. He was in public relations which required him to write many articles for the Air Force Times, a monthly publication. He also scripted, conducted and presented a live television program called SCRAMBLE. The purpose of this program was to further communications between the base and the community at large. While at Iceland, he worked for Armed Forces Radio and TV. He enjoyed Iceland, even though it was "atreeless," there was no snow, only wind and rain.

Aside from being a public school teacher and administrator, he also worked for the Appleton newspaper in Appleton, Wisconsin, as wire editor. He also worked for several radio and television stations at Grand Forks, North Dakota, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and Ironwood. He also served as executive director for CAA and a mental health center.

Joseph was an avid reader, especially books pertaining to the Civil War and World War II. He enjoyed listening to classical music composed by Mozart, Handel and Bach.

On Oct. 21, 1961, he was united in marriage to Alice J. Rudolph from Venturia, North Dakota, at the Chapel on the Grand Forks Air Base. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Chaplain Father Clancey.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alice; only loyal daughter, Barbara Ruth (Patrick) Cleveland, Iron Mountain; one grandson, Thadeaus (Michelle), Marquette; and only sister, Mary Stid, living in Rochester, New York. He is also survived by nephews and nieces.

Joseph was predeceased by his only son, Adam, in 2011; his mother and father; a younger brother, John; and his brother-in-law, Larry Stid; as well as, his beloved grandma, Gladys Dutt, "Lala;" and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Adam and Barbara Rudolph.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 26, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 407 Ascherman St., in Wakefield, with the Rev. Dominic Agyapong, celebrant.

A light luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately following the Mass.

Interment with full military rites will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, at a later date.

May the heavenly angels take Joseph's soul to a place of light, refreshment and peace. Blessed Pope John XXIII said, "Our dead are among the invisible, not among the absent."

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, who is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of sympathy may be left at lakesidemememorialchapel.com.