Joseph H. Wedekind

Joseph H. Wedekind, age 94 of Baraboo, passed away on October 21, 2023.

Joseph was born on January 4, 1929 in Baraboo, the son of Joseph C. and Lena (Klingenmeyer) Wedekind. He was a 1947 graduate of Baraboo High School. Joseph was united in marriage to Betty Jean Platt on January 7, 1950. He was employed by H.E. Wickus Food Market from 1944 until 1948 at which time he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged on August8, 1952 attaining therank of Airman 1/C as a Crash-Rescue Firefighterunder the commandof General Curtis E. Lemay 3902nd Inst. Sq. Strategic Air CommandOmaha, NE. After leaving the Air Force, Joseph was re-employed by H.E. Wickus Food Market. On October 1, 1957 he was appointed to the Madison Fire Department. In 1965 he was also assigned to ambulance duty, and in 1973 he successfully completed an advanced course in Paramedics becoming one of the first in Wisconsin. He retired at age 55 after having served 28 years in the Madison Fire Department, then he moved back to Baraboo.Joseph was a member of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church. In addition, he was a member of the American Legion Post 26, the Retired Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Local 311 Madison, the Owl's Club in Baraboo, and the Baraboo Cemetery Association. He enjoyed square dancing, belonging to the Circus City Squares of Baraboo.

Joseph is survived by four sons, John C. (Debra) Wedekind of Madison, James A.(Donna)Wedekindof Portage, Joseph M. (Gail) Wedekind of Baraboo, Jeffrey L. (Peggy Rynearson) Wedekind of Madison, one daughter, Jo Ellen Vollmer of Baraboo, eighteen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Irene Kalman, two sisters-in-law, Judy Wedekind and Carol Wedekind, and severalnieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Betty Jean, his parents, three brothers, Richard Wedekind, Henry Wedekind, and James T. Wedekind, three sisters, Betty Emery, Delores Otto, and Rosemary Wedekind, and one son-in-law, Roger Vollmer.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 2pm at St. John's Lutheran Church in Baraboo with Pastor Timothy Kuske officiating. Visitation will be held from 1pm until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery where military honors will be performed by the Baraboo Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church.

The Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.