Joseph Richart Obituary (1931 - 2025)

Born Mar 06, 1931, Joseph Richart attended Watertown High School in Watertown, WI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Joseph Richart.

Graduation Year	Class of 1950
Date of Birth	Mar 06, 1931
Date of Passing	Jun 08, 2025
About	(no additional information)
Events	Joseph "Joe" L. Richart, 94, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, after a brief stay at Angels Grace Hospice. A Memorial Mass will take place on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church, with Fr. Tim Renz officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church on Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will take place at Glenview Memorial Gardens in Ixonia. Joseph "Joe" Lee Richart was born on March 6, 1931, in Wausau, the son of Raymond and Gertrude (nee Hanke) Richart. Joe graduated from Watertown High School in 1950 and went on to serve in the National Guard for ten years. Following his graduation, he began a long and dedicated career with the railroad, working as a brakeman/conductor for the Chicago Northwestern RR for 38 years until his retirement. Joe married the former Joanne Aufdermauer on January 29, 1955, at St. Bernard Catholic Church. He later found companionship again in marriage to Helen Hawkins. Joe was a proud member of the Elks, becoming a member in 1955. He held the distinction of being the oldest living member of the Watertown-Beaver Dam Lodge, of 71 years. He was active in many organizations, including the Moose Club, Veterans Association of the Chicago Northwestern Railway, the Woodstock Squares, the Northwest Sailing Association, the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club, and the Upper Keys Sailing Club in Key Largo, FL. In his free time, he enjoyed sailing and square dancing. He was an avid sailor, owning three different sailboats in his lifetime, cruising often on Lake Michigan and Florida Bays. He made many trips on the Mississippi and in the Caribbean. He loved to host family and friends and was a devoted Chicago Bears fan. Joe was a dedicated family man and loved spending time with them. Joe is survived by children, David Richart of Watertown, Jeff (Cindy LaCosse) Richart of Hampshire, IL, and Kathy Krone of Arlington Heights, IL; stepchildren Diane Hawkins of Ohio and David Hawkins of Florida; grandchildren, Jennifer Krone, Rick Wesolek, Brooke (Max) Wieder, Chloe Richart, Logan Richart, and Laine (Eric) Buffington; great-granddaughter Hailey, with another great-grandchild on the way; special friend, Joan Weitzer; former daughter-in-law Julie Kussman; siblings, Audrey Pagel, Jim (Patty) Richart, and Paulette (Dennis) Timm; sisters-in-law, Ruth Richart, Pat Richart, and Mary Moore; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Joe is preceded in death by his wives; parents, Gertrude and Raymond Richart; siblings, Alice Marie Richart, Raeann Danner, John Richart, and Richard Richart; and brothers-in-law, Fredrick Pagel, Wayne Danner, Bud Aufdermauer, and David Moore.