Joseph Nitka

Madison/Pueblo

Joseph Nitka, age 96, died on July 1, 2018 in Pueblo, CO. Joe was born to John and Catherine (Cieslak) in Green Bay, WI on January 27, 1922. He grew up in Green Bay and came to Madison in 1939 to attend the School of Pharmacy at the UW. However, his schooling was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific. He married Marion Turk in 1945 while still in the service. He received his degree after the War. He and Marion had seven children and stayed in the Madison area. Marion passed away in 1962.

He then married Anna Gray and had one child with her. In 1974, he married Florence Giese and moved to CO. After a short marriage, she died. Then he met a very special lady, Martha Manker. They were married for 25 years before she died.

Over the years Joe worked and managed many Rennebohm stores in the Madison area. He continued working as a Pharmacist until the age of 94 in Pueblo, CO.

Joe was very proud of his Polish heritage and loved his polka music. He was a lifelong Packer fan. He enjoyed playing backyard sports and swimming with his kids. He loved the outdoors and sunshine; his reasoning for moving to CO.

He is survived by five sons, Joseph (Nancy), Michael (Patricia), Mark, Paul (Debbie), and Ken (Deanna), 19 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; sister, Alice; son-in-law, Jerry Blum; daughters-in-law, Joanne and Carol; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wives, 3 children, Virginia (Blum), Patrick, and John, a granddaughter, Angela, and 9 siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Monday, July 9, 2018, with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler presiding. Family will greet friends at church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of the Mass. Burial with military honors will be in Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will follow.

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3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434