J. J. "Skip" Beschta

J. J. “Skip” Beschta, age 85, of Appleton, passed away at Cherry Meadows on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Skip was born on May 30, 1929, in Appleton, to the late Ben and Katherine (Kamps) Beschta. He married Carol Pommerenke on June 11, 1955; she preceded him in death on July 14, 2011.
Skip proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was employed by Wisconsin Bell Phone Company for over 44½ years. Skip was a well-known fast and slow-pitch catcher and pitcher, retiring from the sport after age 50. He enjoyed ski jumping, snowmobiling, and was famous for his long and “friendly” walks. Most of all, Skip was revered as a world-class “tinkerer.” His abilities to fix, improvise and improve are legendary. He and Carol enjoyed traveling to South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park. Skip also truly enjoyed raspberry-filled donuts and raspberry sherbert, not to mention molasses cookies.
Survivors include his children, Judy (Mike) Grishaber, Appleton; Luann (Brian) Byatt, Appleton; and Gene (Bonnie) Beschta, Appleton; his grandchildren, Lance (Jesse Brinkmann) Grishaber, Lucas (Kelly Webb) Grishaber and John Beschta; his sister Joan Gruentzel; his sister-in-law, Marcie Beschta. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Vincent (Mary) Beschta; Stan Beschta, Donald (Delores) Beschta; Gerald Beschta; and Carl (Bette) Beschta; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Pat (Dick) Broulliard and Audrey (Bern) Vanden Boogard; and Gene Gruentzel.
Memorial services will be at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at the WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME—TRI-COUNTY CHAPEL, 1592 Oneida Street, Menasha, with Deacon C. F. Dedman officiating. Friends may call directly at the funeral home on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Appleton Cardiology Clinic, especially Dr. Silja Majahalme; the staff at Cherry Meadows Hospice; and his caring neighbors—the Ungers, the Johnsons, the Rades and the Dallmans. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Skip's name to benefit Cherry Meadows Hospice.