Joseph Victor Parenica

Joseph Victor Parenica passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday March 14th, 2023 at the well deserved age of 98.  Joseph “Joe” Parenica was born in Middle Bečva, Moravia, Czech Republic on July 1st 1924 to Jindra & Josef Parenica. 

To say Joe had an interesting life would be to put it mildly.  As a child he lived not only in the Czech Republic but also Siberia for a brief time, where he had a ‘pet camel’.  Entering into adult hood he enlisted in the army and after finishing officer’s school proudly served his home country as a Lieutenant. 

As a young man starting his career he was the manager of The Hotel Pupp in Carlsbad Czech Republic (you may remember this from the 2006 movie Last Holiday with Queen Latifa).  While managing this thriving resort he finalized his degree in mechanical engineering, and began his immigration to America, via England.

Originally living in North Carolina, Joe decided Chicago was the place for him!  While there he married and had his only child, his daughter Yvette.  He began working for Vapor/Brunswick Corporation, where he spent 38 years traveling around the world as the Vice President of International Sales.  Joe spoke over 7 languages which he learned during his travels, earning him many lifelong friends world wide.

After his retirement Joe was reunited with his first love, Eva Maria (Vokac) Parenica, whom he decided to spend the remainder of his long life with and they happily relocated to Portage Wisconsin. 

Joe was a man of many hobbies, not only was he an athlete his entire life, enjoying skiing, tennis, horseback riding and hiking but he also dabbled in photography and loved anything to do with automobiles.  On occasion he was known to attend a ball where dancing was his passion.  He was also a lifelong fan of Roy Rogers holding onto an autographed photo until his passing.

More than anything Joe loved animals, and enjoyed his four legged grandchildren with such a love they will never forget.  He was a deeply religious man who found his faith in both God and his family.  He was a man that saw a lot, said a little and loved with all his heart.  A true gentleman’s gentleman. 

He is survived by his devoted wife Eva M. Parenica (Portage, WI), his beloved daughter Yvette (Robert) Lee (Streamwood, IL), his loving step-daughter Tarra Trumble-Jensen (Matthew) Jensen (Wisconsin Dells, WI) his siblings Ana (Karl) Heger, Calgary, (Alberta, Canada) Boženka (Ludvik) Hemerka, (St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada) Jindra (Arnošt) Barvík, (St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada) Marie (Erich) Hradsky, (Font Hill, Ontario, Canada) and over 52 other surviving relatives in Canada and the Czech Republic including nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in the St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portage, WI.  with a public visitation one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Joe’s name to the Columbia County Humane Society and the St. Croix Hospice 830 State Rd. 136 Baraboo WI 53913

He will be missed beyond measure.

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