Harold J. Pitzen

POTOSI - Harold John “Harry” Pitzen, of Potosi WI, passed away at MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. He was 68 years old. Over the past year, Harry had several hospitalizations as he battled diabetes, infections, and heart disease.

Harry was born on January 23, 1956, to Fred and Marion (Tracy) Pitzen. He grew up on the farm and graduated from Potosi High School in 1974. During his high school years, he played football and got into the usual trouble with his siblings, cousins, and friends. Harry married his first wife, Darlene (nee Fritz) on October 28, 1978. They raised two children in Potosi and split up in 1998. On August 4, 2001, Harry married his second wife, Karen (nee Bleile), and became a step-up Dad to her son. Harry spent 40 years working at a gelatin plant (currently Rousselot Inc.) in Dubuque, and finally retired in May 2022.

Harry had a fulfilling life. He was a fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks, and the UW-Madison Badgers. He was a fan of John Wayne and had seen most of the Western movies on TV (several times). In his younger years, he played softball, cribbage, and he volunteered on the Potosi Fire Dept. He did a little fishing, but mostly liked to hunt; he shot several deer over the years to put meat on the table. He would walk the woods for morel mushrooms in the Spring, and he grew tomatoes to can for the family chili recipe.  As time went on, he spent several years as one of the coaches for Potosi Middle School football. Most recently, Harry enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, whether at their sporting events or at home.

Harry was a great guy and will be missed dearly by all who knew him. He leaves behind his children: daughter Stefany (Joie) Muehlenbruch, son Andy (Ashley) Pitzen, and stepson Richard Menadue. They gave him 10 grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Mitchell) Wagner, Kaden Pitzen, Brayden Gerhards, Ashton Pitzen, Maddie Gerhards, Easton Pitzen, Jesalyn Muehlenbruch, Jaxyn Muehlenbruch, Jameson Menadue, and Gracelynn Menadue; and one great-grandson, Braxton Wagner. He is survived by seven siblings: Kathy (Tom) Weber, Nancy (Randy) Timmerman, Charlie (Cassie) Pitzen, Sue (Ray) Ehlen, Karla (Lynn) Turtscher, Roxie (Tony) Hamilton, and Bryan (Vicki) Pitzen. Additionally, Harry will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former coworkers.

He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Marion; father-in-law Leon Bleile in 2019; and his wife Karen in 2021.

Harry is remembered by his extended family: mother-in-law Marie Bleile and siblings Deb (Scott) Patton, Bob (Jodee) Bleile, and Don (Roselle) Bleile. His first wife, Darlene Murray, and her family will also miss him: parents Bev (Bill d.2010) Fritz and siblings Diane (Scott) Erlandson and Duane (Laurie) Fritz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tennyson with Father Mark Miller officiating.  Burial will be in St. Andrew Cemetery at a later date.  Family and friends may call on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church.  Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Potosi is entrusted with his care. 

The family would like to thank the team at Grant Regional Health Center for their special care over the past year. We also thank the Doctors and ICU team at MercyOne Medical Center for trying everything they could to save him. Lastly, we appreciate the staff at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster for their support, compassion, and professionalism during a very difficult time.