Joachim Hans Kostrau

 Joachim Hans Kostrau, age 82, died at home on  Friday, April 13, 2012. He was born on May 16, 1929, in Rothenburg/Oder in Germany. As a teenager, he was drafted into the German army. In May of 1945, at the end of World War II, he was taken prisoner by the British troops. In 1957, he immigrated to the United States. Joachim Hans was certified as a carpenter journeyman, had a degree in Architectural Engineering, and a good command of the English language. His education well equipped him to face and master the challenges of his adopted country. In 1958, his wife and daughter followed him to the United States. Joachim Hans was a successful architect. He worked for more than 20 years for the Milwaukee Public Schools. In 1989, he retired. He and his wife, Barbara, moved to the southwest area of Wisconsin, a historical and cultural jewel.

For 16 years, he served as a member of the Planning Commission in Wauwatosa. For 7 years, he was a member of the West Grant/River Ridge School Board. From 1993 through 2009, he was elected Supervisor of the Grant County Board 7^th District. He also served on the committee for Orchard Manor Farm and Nursing Home and the committees on Aging and Disabled, which were especially important to him. As a member of the committee for the addition to the Grant County Court House, his professional experience was valued and recognized. He was honored to be appointed to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission by Governor Doyle in 2010 and by Governor Walker in 2012. Joachim Hans believed in service to the community in an efficient and knowledgeable way.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Barbara Kostrau, Bagley; his daughter, Andrea (Guenter) Geisler, nee Kostrau of Munich, Germany; his son, Christian Otto of Long Beach, IN; his sisters: Irene of Menomonee Falls, WI; Christel of Munich, Germany; his sisters-in-law: Anna-Monika of MI; Adelheid of Berlin, Germany; nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Otto and Marta Kostrau, nee Braune, Joachim Hans was preceded in death by a son, Sebastian, his sisters: Ursula and Hilde and a brother, Willy.

To honor the request of Joachim Hans there will be no visitation. A Memorial Mass and private burial in the Hazelton Cemetery, Wyalusing Township, will be held at a later date. In lieu of plants and flowers, a memorial is established or a direct contribution to one of the listed charities below would be appreciated. Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington is serving the family.

Charitable Contributions:

Rev. Emmett Hoffmann Soaring Eagle (American Indian retirement home)

PO Box 879, Billings, MT 59103

Covenant House (for youth in desperate situations)

461 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10001

Christian Appalachian Project (an area of great poverty)

PO Box 459, Hagerhill, KY 4122