STUART P. “STU” NITZKE

Stuart Paul “Stu” Nitzke, age 85, of Berlin, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022, peacefully in his home with the love of his life by his side.

He was born Sept 7, 1936, in the Township of Saxeville.  He was the oldest son of Wallace and Alice Lindekugel Nitzke.  on Oct. 1, 1960, he was united in marriage to Lucille “Tootie” Kalupa.  They were blessed with two children, Lisa and Frank.

Stu was proud of all his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their accomplishments.  He was a devout member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and served there for over 60 years.  He most recently became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Auroraville. Stu worked for Kalupa Construction, and later ran a successful family business, 4 Way Construction Co.  His job was made easier by great employees such as Phil, Bruce and many others.  He had a passion for racing that existed both personally and with his son, Frank.  He loved the outdoors and enjoyed deer hunting, skiing, and snowmobiling with family and friends.  Stu was noted for his spanferkel skills for the people dear to him.  He also had a love for collecting cars and parts, and the interactions with buyers.  He was the ‘go-to’ guy for classic T-Bird cars and parts.  As a friend quotes, “Always a fair deal and an invite to ‘come back soon’”.

Stu was a loving caring, man and received two president’s medals from the National Safety Council, for saving two people’s lives.  He had a great sense of humor, and kept people laughing with his endless practical jokes and snappy one-liners.

He is survived by his wife, Tootie; daughter, Lisa Grutzmacher;  son, Frank (Lori) Nitzke; grandchildren, Katelyn (Jason) Cox, McKala Nitzke, Joshua Nitzke, Aaron Grutzmacher, Amber Grutzmacher, Lucas (Clara Syring) Grutzmacher; special grandson, Brandon Hale; great-grandchildren, Leighton and Raelyn Cox; sister, Joanne Carlovsky (her children, Jonna, Sam (Ruth) and Benjamin (Tammy), brother, Harris “Butch” (Carol) Nitzke (their children, Joel (Tina) and Jamie (Mark)); his brother-in-law, Clifford “Bud” (Fran) Kalupa (their children, John (Chris), Bernie, Tessie (Sterling), Katie (Mark), sister-in-law, Valerie Jean (Ray) Sprague (their children, Jan (Kurt) and Scott), and brother-in-law, Daniel (Jean Ann) Kalupa (their children, Anna (Nick), Julie (Trevor)).

Stu was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Clifford (Lucille) Kalupa; and great-grandson, August.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin.  Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Stuart Nitzke, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.

Many thanks to Lori Nitzke for being with Papa in his last hours, the Home Health and Hospice care staff; Leslie, Angie, Nancy, and Stacy, for their great care and comfort.  Special thanks to Pastor Willis for his Spiritual comfort.