Joseph Frank Washa

MIDDLETON-Joseph Frank Washa, age 99, of Middleton, passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at Agrace HospiceCare.  He was born on Aug. 8, 1918, in Muscoda, WI; the son of Frank and Emma (Pettera) Washa. He married Donna Cattle on Jan. 17, 1948.  Joseph proudly served in the U.S. Army as a technical sergeant from 1941-1945. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 8216, and former fire chief of Blooming Grove Fire Department and firefighter of the Middleton Fire Department.  Joe was an active member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and often served as an usher for Sunday mass.  Joseph was an avid hunter and fisherman and took many fishing and hunting trips. He also spent a lot of time traveling throughout the country with his wife, Donna, and Army buddies. He was a diesel mechanic at Meier Truck until retirement.  After retiring, he enjoyed fixing outboard motors as a hobby. Joseph and Donna took pride in their gardening, apple orchard, and selling their produce at the Middleton farmer’s market.  Joseph is survived by his son, Randy (Beth) Washa; his five grandchildren, Matthew (Amber) Washa, Marlesha (JD) Fishnick, David Washa, Dana (Dean) Priebusch, Samantha (Michael) Bolin; his four great-grandchildren, Shelby and Presley Washa, and Corbin and Brycen Fishnick; sisters, Irene Williams and Katherine Klaas; daughters-in law, LuAnn (Doug) Shillinglaw and Ingrid Geimer; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; sons, Philip and Glenn Washa; brothers, Richard, Harold and Frank; and sisters, Margaret Larson, Mae Yapp and Isabel Minter.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.  Burial with military rites will be held at Sunset Memory Gardens.  Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday.  Memorials may be made to Middleton Fire Department, Agrace HospiceCare, VFW Post No. 8216 or St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Middleton.  Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave 608-831-6761