John Michael Flesch

FITCHBURG-John M. Flesch, age 67, of Fitchburg, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2019, at UW Hospital and Clinics. He was born on July 14, 1951, in Madison, the son of Gordon and Rozanne (McCormick) Flesch. John was the third generation in his family to attend Edgewood High School and graduated in 1969. John met the love of his life Jeanne Stalker while working with at risk children at a non profit organization called Browndale. On February, 15, 1975 John and Jeanne were married. John started working with his father and brothers at Gordon Flesch Company (GFC) in 1976. At GFC, John used his innate people skills to find and hire great talent, and specialized in sales and human resources, eventually becoming Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. He served on the board of M&I Bank and was President of the Nakoma Country Club Board. During his tenure as Board President, John recruited many new members and was very involved in the club’s renovation. John was extremely generous and dedicated to his community. He was a benefactor of many local charities including American Family Children's Hospital, Gilda's Club, UW Carbone Cancer Center, PKD Foundation, First Tee, Edgewood High School, Rosie's Garden at St. Mary's Hospital, Fitchburg Community Center, Agrace HospiceCare and University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a Badger fanatic, he enjoyed watching all sports, golfing, going up north, boating, and GFC work trips. John’s charismatic personality, warm smile, and contagious laugh allowed him to command any room he walked into. He cherished spending time with his family and friends. John and Jeanne traveled extensively on trips around the world where so many memories were made. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, and an amazing grandfather, known to his grandchildren as "Boppa" or “Bop”. John was a member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. John is survived by his wife, Jeanne; children, Jessica (Cory) Buye, Eric Flesch (Courtney Kruger) and Amy Flesch (Sean Blum); siblings, Tom (Jeannie) Flesch, Lucy Flesch (Dave Roahen), Sally (Bob) Cox, and Bill (Debbie) Flesch; grandchildren, Ella, Johnathan, Michael, Emilia, John “Jack” and Joseph; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant sister Barbara. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2019, with Rev. Msgr. Michael L. Burke presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. Private family interment will take place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, John's family request memorial donations be made in his name to any one of the many charitable organizations in which he was involved. The family would like to give a special thanks to the entire care team at UW Hospital for all the exceptional care they provided to John. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”- Helen Keller Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road 608-442-5002