John Duane "Jack" Ochalla
May 25, 1938 - September 14, 2020
Obituary
MCFARLAND - John Duane "Jack" Ochalla, age 82, of McFarland, passed away on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on May 25, 1938, in Geneseo, N.D., the son of John and Jean (Haring) Ochalla.
Jack graduated from Madison East High School in 1956 and from the UW-Whitewater. He married Janet Buttrey on Dec. 5, 1970, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Madison. Jack's passion was teaching and he was a great story teller. He loved teaching at Madison Area Technical College, where he retired on Jan. 1, 2000. He enjoyed his role as the MATC Assistant Basketball Coach and being involved in MATC's intermural sports.
Jack was a former member of Christ the King Catholic Church in McFarland and a longtime member of the "Card Club" which consisted of his eight lifelong friends from Union Street. He enjoyed taking trips to the casino, watching old movies, collecting rocks and coins, and recycling aluminum cans.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Janet; two sons, Chris (Chris) Ochalla and Bryan (David Schowengerdt) Ochalla; three grandsons, Greg Riese, Brady Ochalla and Matthew Ochalla; sister, Raene (Jeff) Williams; and sister-in-law, Mary Jo Ochalla. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, John J. Ochalla; mother and stepfather, Jean and Fran Underhill; and brother, Kenneth Ochalla.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. A visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and facemasks are required.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Jack's name to Agrace HospiceCare, Second Harvest, St. Vincent DePaul or a charity of one’s choice. Jack's family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Agrace HospiceCare for all the kind and compassionate care they gave him. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Wed Sep 23, 2020 @ 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI
Mass of Christian Burial
Wed Sep 23, 2020 @ 3:00 PM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI
Photos
No photos of John have been shared yet.
Memories
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Dan Simms
Other •
Condolences to the Ochalla Family . . . Coach Ochalla was my most appreciated 7th-grade Math teacher and basketball coach at Parkside Heights Middle School, Middleton, in '64-'65. He was liked by all and certainly was a positive person in the lives of many! I easily recall his trademark learning moment closer: ". . . In that fashion". R.I P. Coach . . . Ya' did good!!! Dan Simms, Waunakee
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Strezlec Sherry
Other •
Our thoughts are with you, Jan, Chris and Bryan. We were neighbors in McFarland and got to know Jan and Jack when our boys went to school together. We enjoyed many Cub Scout meetings at Jan and Jack’s house. Jan was the Scout leader and Jack was always willing to help when needed.
John and Sherry Strezlec
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Al Lehnen
Other •
My sincere condolences to the Ochalla family. I was Jack's colleague at MATC from 1983 until his retirement in December, 1999. I remember my very first General Studies Division meeting on Monday, August 22,1983. Jack went out of his way to introduce himself and assure me that despite my nervousness (classes started the next day) that everything would work out okay. In all my interactions with Jack he was always upbeat and enthusiastic. May he rest in God's peace.
Al Lehnen
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Vicki Ladd Breunig
Other •
Mr. Ochalla was my 7th grade math teacher at Parkside Heights in Middleton back in 1962/63 and he remains one of my favorite teachers. He lit up the room with his stories and had a brilliant way of relating to his students and being a wonderful teacher. The education community was truly blessed to have him in their midst. My deepest sympathy to the family of this wonderful man. God bless!
Vicki Ladd Breunig
RJ
robert johnson
Other •
Deepest sympathy to the Ochalla family. I was a colleague of Jack's at MATC both downtown and at the Tech Center. I also bowled at the Plaza Bowl with Jack and Jan. Always pleasant and professional, He will be missed.
JS
Janet Schowengerdt
Other •
I can’t think of Jack without picturing that infectious grin, and the animated way he once told stories. My love to the family.