John Dana Pongratz, age 96, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Emplify Health by Gundersen.
John was born January 24, 1929, to Rolland and Florence (Dana) Pongratz in Warrens, Wis., where his family owned and operated an IGA store. He graduated from Tomah High School in 1946 and Eau Claire State Teacher’s College in 1950 with teaching degrees in music and chemistry. John taught in Norwalk, Wis., one year before marrying Ruth Uischner June 10, 1951. He was drafted into the Army that same summer. John spent a two-year tour of duty with the Army band in Japan. In 1953, he joined Ruth in Caledonia and taught chemistry, physics, aviation, photography, and was the AV director until retiring in 1986. A second career followed selling computers for Community Camera and Wettstein’s in La Crosse for many years.
John was very involved in many professional and community organizations over the years and enjoyed numerous interests and hobbies including golf, aviation, photography, bowling, cards, and morning coffee groups. His curiosity and love of learning never ceased. He wanted to know how things worked. John acquired the latest in technology devices and could use them all proficiently.
Survivors include daughter Peggy (Nick) Burg; grandchildren Jessica (John) Glasspoole, Nicole (Joe) Dockendorff, Tyler (Katie) Pongratz, Marci (Adam) Skemp, Colin Pongratz and Marty Burg; great-grandchildren Megan and Caitlin Glasspoole, Ruby and Ryan Dockendorff, Kora and Kada Pongratz, and Isabel and Owen Skemp; daughter-in-law Kim Pongratz, sister-in-law Agnes Benjamin, and several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by Ruth, his wife of 71 years; son Dana, his parents, parents-in-law Oscar and Emma Uischner, sister Joanne Racheff, brother James Pongratz, and in-laws Nick Racheff, Joyce and David Capper, Tom Benjamin, and Elden Uischner.
Funeral services were held 11 a.m., Saturday, August 9 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 650 N. Kingston Street, Caledonia, Minn. Burial with military honors followed in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation was at the church from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 8 and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, August 9.
The service was livestreamed via St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church YouTube Channel.
Please direct memorials to Four Seasons Community Center or St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church.
Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.fredricksonfuneralhomes.com.
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