Obituary for John Pongratz

John was born January 24, 1929, to Rolland and Florence (Dana) Pongratz in Warrens, WI, where his family owned and operated an IGA store. He graduated from Tomah High School in 1946 and Eau Claire State Teacher’s College in 1950 with teaching degrees in music and chemistry. John taught in Norwalk, WI one year before marrying Ruth Uischner June 10, 1951. He was drafted into the Army that same summer. John spent a two year tour of duty with the Army band in Japan. In 1953, he joined Ruth in Caledonia and taught chemistry, physics, aviation, photography, and was the AV director until retiring in 1986. A second career followed selling computers for Community Camera and Wettstein’s in La Crosse for many years.

John was very involved in many professional and community organizations over the years and enjoyed numerous interests and hobbies including golf, aviation, photography, bowling, cards, and morning coffee groups. His curiosity and love of learning never ceased. He wanted to know how things worked. John acquired the latest in technology devices and could use them all proficiently.

Survivors include daughter, Peggy (Nick) Burg; grandchildren, Jessica (John) Glasspoole, Nicole (Joe) Dockendorff, Tyler (Katie) Pongratz, Marci (Adam) Skemp, Colin Pongratz, and Marty Burg; great-grandchildren, Megan and Caitlin Glasspoole, Ruby and Ryan Dockendorff, Kora and Kada Pongratz, and Isabel and Owen Skemp; daughter-in-law, Kim Pongratz; sister-in-law, Agnes Benjamin; and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by Ruth, his wife of 71 years; son, Dana; his parents; parents-in-law, Oscar and Emma Uischner; sister, Joanne Racheff, brother, James Pongratz; in-laws, Nick Racheff, Joyce and David Capper, Tom Benjamin, and Elden Uischner.

Funeral services will be 11:00am, Saturday, August 9 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 650 N Kingston Street, Caledonia, MN. Burial with military honors will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, August 8 and from 10:00am until the time of service on Saturday, August 9.

The service will be live-streamed via St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church You Tube Channel.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Four Season’s Community Center or St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church.

Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be offered on this site.