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View this Videotribute Jonathan "Jack" Kalitzke, 76, born June 13, 1931, in Great Falls, Mont., to Catherine and John Hayes, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 30, 2008, after a short bout with cancer. He was predeceased by his father, who died when Jack was 3 months old; his mother; stepfather (Henry Kalitzke); and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Paula "Susie" (Davis) Kalitzke. They met at a roller skating rink with Jack saying, "You have beautiful brown cow eyes," and they got married anyhow Oct. 20, 1962, in Lansing, Ill. Survivors also include two daughters, Cathy Halbersma, and Amy Jansen and their husbands, John and Rich; and his crowning glory, his six grandchildren, Ashley, Jacob, Natalie, Joshua, James and Joseph. He also is survived by a brother, David of Georgia; and sister, Darlene Murray of Montana. He joined the U.S. Navy and was proud to serve his country in the Korean conflict. His ship was hit and he sustained injuries to his back and spent a year in the Naval hospital. After he was discharged from the Navy, he was offered a job in the Hammond, Ind. area. He worked many years as a diesel mechanic for Oleson Trucking, which was purchased by CW Transport Inc. In 1973, CW Transport transferred him to Wisconsin Rapids and he was promoted to director of maintenance. He worked for them until they closed. He ended his work years with Moody Trucking in Plover. Jack taught diesel mechanics at night at Mid-State Technical College for several years. Jack was a strong Christian man who loved the Lord; a loving husband and father who was always involved with the youth in one way or another. He was involved in 4-H with his children and taught leather craft. He volunteered for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) at Christian Life Fellowship where he worked in the nursery with the toddlers. He was fondly known as "Grandpa Jack." He found his talent also in wood carving, and was involved with the River Cities Wood Carving Club for many years, just recently receiving a blue and red ribbon for his work. He regularly attended a Saturday morning prayer breakfast, and was very active with his senior group and their Bible study in his church. His grandkids were his greatest joy and he spent many hours showing them his different trades. He also was very involved in their activities and took them on a yearly special grandparents' trip. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Christian Life Fellowship in Port Edwards with the Revs. Dean Anderson, Dale Vos and William Venske officiating. Burial will be in Faith Reformed Cemetery in Vesper. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Higgins Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, and at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service Friday. Memorials will be established for several groups, including MOPS and the Salvation Army.
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