Joseph Leonard Otradovec, age 68, of the South Branch Community on the Menominee Indian Reservation, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday March 18, 2020 surrounded by prayers and his family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Big Joe was born on February 24^th, 1952 in Keshena, Wisconsin. He was the 19^th child of the late Matthias and Genevieve (Pecore) Otradovec. Joe grew up on his family’s farm, he graduated from Lena High School and North Central Technical College in Antigo as a welder.   Joe worked the family farm in Suring and was employed by Menominee Tribal Enterprises in Neopit and the Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena.

At the time he became ill, Joe was living his best life. He retired from employment with Tribal businesses to become a professional volunteer. He was the senior mass server at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena and could be found working the St. Michael’s Food Pantry, Knight of Columbus Thanksgiving Meals, Knight’s sponsored activities, selling raffle tickets for the parish festival and the Knights, volunteering in the kitchen at church fish frys and other food sales, and working the kitchen at funerals. He was a well known ambassador of handshakes and hugs throughout many Menominee Tribal Office buildings and businesses in Suring and Shawano. He was a proud member of the South Branch Community and thought of himself as the mayor of Otradovec Loop Road. Despite a lifelong speech impediment, Joe had a lot to say.  His many friends enjoyed his frequent phone calls, visits, infectious laugh, and good natured love of life.

Joe is survived by: his brother, Matthias (Heidi) Otradovec of Silver Spring, Maryland and eight sisters, Sylvia Wilber of Keshena, Leila (Stanley) Strehlow of Quinnessec, Michigan, Roberta (Michael) Wilson of Columbia, Missouri, Angela (John) Kempen, of Combined Locks, Romelda Kirtley of Plymouth, Christine (Sherman) Webster of Oshkosh, Margaret (Ralph) Lyons of Keshena, and Rosanne of Keshena. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Ruben Hein of Gillett; his sisters-in-law Marie Otradovec of Kaukauna and Kathy Pogrant of Kimberly; and special nieces Renee Duquain of Suring, Lenore Webster of Oshkosh, and Janet Otradovec of Silver Spring, Maryland.  He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Matthias and Genevieve; seven brothers, Irvin, Melvin, Roger, Laurel, Orville, Adelbert, and Frances; three sisters, Marcella Wilber, Eleanor Riesterer, and Genevieve Hein; his brothers-in-law, Dennis Dieck, Robert Riesterer, George Wilber, and Dave Wilber; his sisters-in-law, Chantel Otradovec, Verene Otradovec, and Evelyn Otradovec; and a special godson, Joe Wilber.

Services will be held on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:00 am at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Keshena with Father Joel Jores officiating. Family may call on Sunday, March 22, 2020 from Noon – 4:00 pm at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with a parish wake service being held at 3:30 pm. Family and friends may call again at the church on Monday from 9:30 am until the time of service. Burial will be at St. Joseph of the Lake Cemetery in South Branch beside his parents.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Menominee Tribe’s Aging Department and Tribal Clinic.