John Karl Wagenknecht, age 77, of Eau Claire, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2014, at the Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls under the care of Mayo Clinic Home Health and Hospice, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1937, to Mary (Flynn) and Karl Wagenknecht. John lived most of his life in Toledo, where he worked as a skilled floor layer and was a devoted and talented youth coach for CYO for many years. John retired from the floor covering business in Toledo, where he worked many years for the family business, for many stores and builders, and owned John's Floor Covering for over 20 years. At his church in Toledo, he was an usher, member of Holy Name Society at St. Catherine's Church, and a youth coach for many years. John was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus member, and a Lifetime member of the VFW Post 305 in Eau Claire. He was also a member of St. Olaf Catholic Church in Eau Claire. John enjoyed fishing and spending time at the family cottage in Michigan. An avid sportsman, he went on many Canadian fishing trips, as well as elk hunting in Colorado with his relatives from Wisconsin. John and his wife, JoAnne, retired to Wisconsin in 2005, which is still JoAnne's home. John married his wife JoAnne (Hangartner) of Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1958, after serving four years in the Navy. She survives. Also surviving are his children, Mary (Mark) Wagner of Toledo, Ohio and Jack of Eau Claire; sister, Karen (Richard) Haight; brothers, James (Cathy) and Karl (Joan); grandchildren, Joshua and Jacob; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Mary Wagenknecht; and an infant daughter, Joan. John's family would like to thank the staff at the Rutledge Home, as well as Mayo Clinic Home Health and Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 3220 Monroe St., Eau Claire with a visitation one hour prior to the Mass at church. Father Felix Tigoy will be officiating. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire with Military Honors conducted by VFW Post 305. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Rutledge Home or Mayo Clinic Home Health and Hospice.

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery 1500 Buffington Drive Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Tuesday, November 18 2014 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Olaf Catholic Church 3220 Monroe St. Eau Claire WI 54703

Memorial Mass

Tuesday, November 18 2014 11:00 AM

St. Olaf Catholic Church 3220 Monroe St. Eau Claire WI 54703