Joseph C. Ledvina

March 28, 1930 - August 15, 2019

Joseph C. Ledvina Age, 89, of Butternut completed his earthly journey and was called to eternal life August 15, 2019 in the Pleasant View Nursing home while under the care of Flambeau Home Health and Hospice. He was born in Park Falls March 28, 1930 and grew up on the family farm on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Iron County . He graduated from Lincoln High School in Park Falls and entered the Air Force October 20, 1950, assigned to the 366th Motor Vehicle Squadron. In 1952 he completed Engineer Equipment Mechanic Training at Eta Jima Japan. During 1953 he served as Inspector for the Port of Manila in the Philippines. He married Lessie Dean Wilson in Rapides Parish, Louisiana in February 27, 1954 while stationed at Alexandria, Louisiana. After his honorable discharge in 1954 they settled in Forest Park, IL where they lived for 20 years and raised their family. Joseph was a road construction engineer and proud union member for Operating Engineers Local 150. In 1975, Joe and Lessie moved back to Butternut. They restored the family farm, shipping milk through AMPI for Joe’s herd of Guernseys, while Lessie managed The Marian House, a state licensed CBRF for twelve years. In 1991 Joseph and Lessie were recognized at the Wisconsin State Fair for their Century Farm. In 1995 Joe and Lessie completed two years of training to become Precious Blood Companions in the Lay Minister Outreach Program as members of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Joseph was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of Thaddeus Zyk Post 272 of the American Legion. Joseph was a mechanic, carpenter, stone mason, welder, and electrician. If he needed something, he could build it; if it was broke, he could fix it; friends, neighbors and local loggers often called upon him for assistance. He is survived by three daughters: Joyce (Tom) Paski of Butternut, Theresa Ledvina of Oak Lawn, IL, and Mary (John) Ertl of Park Falls; Son in law John Christian of Freedom, WI, and grandchildren Lara, Edward, and Sarah Paski; Ellen (Mike Hambel), Darcy Murphree, Angie (Todd ) Brandenburg, Jill Christian, Gina Christian & John Carl Christian; Theresa Ertl (Matt Roberts), Karen Ertl, John (Serwa) Ertl, Melissa Ertl, and eleven great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sisters Veronica Grunert, Annie Brady, Margaret (Wayne) Boness, and his brothers Larry and Edward Ledvina. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph H. and Anna Ledvina, his brothers John (Elizabeth), Lloyd and Louis, his sister Julia (Al) Cordova, infant daughter Ila Jo in 1959, beloved wife Lessie in 1998, son Peter in 2002, son Frank in 2008, daughter Anna Christian in 2016, and grandson William Ertl in 2018. A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 20th at 11:00 am in St. Anthony’s Church in Park Falls. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am before the service. Burial will follow at St. Cecelia Cemetery in Butternut, with military honors under the auspices of the Butternut American Legion Post 272. The Novitzke Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. www.novitzkefuneralhome.com