Henry “Jack” Petsch, 95, of Riverton passed away in Castle Pines, CO on Thursday, December 20, 2018. A viewing will be held at Davis Funeral Home on Thursday, January 3, 2019, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Friday, January 4, 2019, at Davis Funeral Home, another viewing will be held one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
Henry James Petsch was born on August 2, 1923 in Junita, NE to John Henry and Violet Stella (Prime) Petsch. Jack was raised in Nebraska with two sisters and three brothers. He graduated from Benkelman High School in Benkelman, NE.
On July 19, 1942 he married the love of his life, Donna Darlene Angell in Bird City, KS. Together they raised two children and spent 66 years together before Donna passed in 2009.
Jack served in the U.S. Army during World War II, he was honorably discharged in 1946.
While going to high school, Jack worked at the local drug store earning enough to pay for room and board. After high school he worked on the railroad before ending up in Denver, CO working for Montgomery Ward. After he married Donna, they lived in Manito Springs, CO where he worked in a steel mill. Later he moved his young wife to Thermopolis, WY and then to Casper where he worked in the oilfield. Upon his military discharge, he and his young family joined his father, John, and brothers, Jim and Don, in the livestock business. The partnership “Petsch Brothers” was formed. He and his family managed the livestock auctions in Riverton, Lander, and Torrington for many years.
Jack was always involved in sports. As a youth he boxed, played football and baseball. When his son was young he was instrumental in starting the Little League in Riverton, he coached for many years. Jack supported his children’s and grandchildren’s sports and horse activities in which they were involved. Later in life he maintained his interest in baseball by attending many major league games with family and friends. Being with family was Jack’s focus. He and his wife were avid motorhome enthusiasts, traveling to several states and Mexico. They boated, fished, and “camped” finding the most joy with their children and grandchildren. Each winter they traveled to Arizona, surrounded by family and many friends.
He is survived by his son, Jack Petsch, Jr. and daughter, Sharon Fixter and husband, John; grandchildren, Julie Petsch Lapage and husband, Mike, Andi Lee Petsch, Mandi Darr and husband, Matt, Mark Fixter and wife, Katie, and Tim Fixter and wife, Melisa; great grandchildren, Harper Lapage, Reed Lapage, Elijah Paul Louis, Addison Darr, Isaiah Darr, Elijah Darr, Joshua Darr, Kye Fixter, Austin Fixter, Noah Fixter, McKenzie Fixter, and Zach Fixter; sister, Velda Petsch Posey; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Violet Petsch; wife, Donna Petsch; sister, Mary Roemmich Reeb; and borthers, Jim, Don, and Timothy Petsch.
On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.
Memorials may be made to Friends of Frontier Hospice in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501.
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.