Joseph "Joe" Pfalzgraf

Joseph "Joe" J. Pfalzgraf, 87, of Ladysmith passed away peacefully at Marshfield Medical Center on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Joe was born the son of Jacob and Theresa (Burns) Pfalzgraf, on February 10, 1939, in Ladysmith, WI, and his life came full circle when he returned to the homestead where he was born to enjoy his retirement. Joe was a 1957 graduate of Ladysmith High School. Joe enlisted in the US Army and was honorably discharged after 4 years of service, remaining in the Army Reserve until 1968. During his younger years, Joe hauled milk in the Ladysmith area, an experience he cherished and recounted with pride throughout his life. Joe married Darlene Kay Smith on July 3, 1969, in Canton, MO. In 1970, Joe started working for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in Waupun WI, as a corrections officer. He dedicated 27 years to “The Walls” until his retirement in 1997. After his retirement, Joe was a loving caregiver to Darlene until her passing in January 2003. Joe married Kay Closs in June 2005.

Joe found joy in the simple things: a good day of hunting, time spent fishing, working in his garden, and tinkering with his tractors.

Joe is survived by his wife, Kay of Ladysmith; son, Kenneth (Carissa) Pfalzgraf of Acton, CA; daughter, Rhonda Pfalzgraf of Wisconsin; son, Joseph E. Pfalzgraf (Amy Haase) of Horicon; daughter, Teresa (Ben) Ruch of Waupun; and by his step-daughter Karen (Dan) Brzezinski of Weston; and step-son Alan (Cristi) Closs of Frisco, Texas; 16 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Darlene; his sister, Irene Carlson; his brother, William “Bill” Pfalzgraf, and his faithful dog, Freddy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Ladysmith on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Ed Anderson and Deacon Craig Voldberg officiating, followed by a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Rusk County Honor Guard. Friends and family may pay their respects before the service, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the church.

Joe’s family is deeply grateful to his nieces and nephews for their devoted help and support throughout his illness, especially for accompanying him to appointments and being there whenever he needed them. They also offer sincere appreciation to the medical staff at Marshfield Medical Center for their compassion and the exceptional care given to Joe.

Complete obituaries will also be published in the Ladysmith News, Fond du Lac Reporter and Beaver Dam Daily Citizen.