John J. Krutzik

John J. Krutzik passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4th at his home. He was born March 2, 1942, in Kiel, WI to John and Anna (Schicker) Krutzik. His family moved from Kiel to Plainfield, WI in 1958.

John was a hardworking, honest man with a quick wit who valued his family, his loyal chocolate lab, and a good bargain. He leaves behind a legacy of strong work ethic, craftsmanship, and values that will continue through all who knew him. He enjoyed spending time with his family, working in the backyard, hunting, gardening, feeding and watching the birds, routinely going to Menards, attending estate sales and auctions, and watching the Packers and Badgers.

He married Marilyn A. Auclair in January 1964, and together they shared 28 years of marriage until her passing in 1992. He was blessed to find love again and married Mary K. Chrystal on December 20, 1997. John graduated in 1960 from Tri-County High School in Plainfield, WI. After high school he moved to Kenosha, WI and worked for American Motors, as well as the state highway department. He then dedicated 31 years of service to Consolidated Paper and retired from the Wisconsin Rapids Division on December 31, 1997. He started in 1966 as a drafting technician in corporate engineering. During that time, he was involved with numerous rebuilds on machines at Stevens Point and Wisconsin River divisions. In 1981, he became a member of the Consolidated Inventors’ Club. He and another employee jointly produced a pneumatic tube blade clamping device for blade coaters. He moved to the Wisconsin Rapids Division maintenance department in 1984 as a drafting technician until 1989, when he advanced to assistant project mechanical engineering associate on the No. 16 paper machine project. In 1992, he was promoted to Maintenance Coordinator, No. 16, his position upon retirement.

John is survived by his loving and caring wife Mary Krutzik, beloved dog Bear; daughters Christina Chariton and Lisa Barton; sons Thomas (Sherri) Krutzik and Michael (Donna) Krutzik; grandsons Cole (Mandi) Chariton and Chase Chariton; granddaughters Ashley (Eric) Wenker, Madalynn (Chandler) Whitmore, Tanya Barton, Amber Barton, Hailey (Dylan) Rosenthal, and Ally Krutzik; and great grandchildren Carson and Hazel Wenker, Xenia and Asher Chariton, Claire Barton and Easton Whitmore.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Marilyn; brothers Elmer (Al) Krutzik, Jerome (Jerry) Krutzik, Martin (Marty) Krutzik, Robert (Bobby) Krutzik; sisters Esther Reineck, Ramilda (Middi) Auclair, and Rose Newman; and loyal companion Rufus.

The family invites those who knew and loved John to join them at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, for a visitation on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 9:00am CDT, with a funeral service to follow at 11:00am CDT. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park.

The family would like to offer their sincere thanks to the first responders and EMS personnel who assisted John during his final moments. They also want to thank the staff at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home for their caring and professional service in honoring our loved one.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the South Wood County Humane Society in memory of John Krutzik.

As we remember and celebrate John's life, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos to his memorial page. Your stories and pictures will serve as a comfort to those mourning and as a tribute to a remarkable man. John's legacy will continue to inspire us, reminding us that strength, dedication, and love can create a life well-lived.