Bryan A. Purchatzke

Bryan A. Purchatzke, age 90, passed away at his home on Thursday, April 7, 2022. He was born to the late Fred and Esther (Stillman) Purchatzke on February 27, 1932, in Weyauwega, WI. He was born into the Kingdom of Grace at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Weyawega where he was later confirmed in the faith in spring of 1945. 

After graduating from Weyawega High School in 1949, Bryan continued his education, receiving his bachelor’s degree from UW-Stevens Point. Soon after graduation, Bryan joined the United States Army, serving from 1953 to 1955.  Within weeks of his honorable discharge, Bryan married the love of his life, Arlyss Borchardt on December 11, 1955, in Fremont, WI. The new family moved to Wisconsin Rapids briefly as Bryan began his teaching career.  After relocating to Oshkosh in 1958, he taught elementary and middle school before becoming a beloved principal, having served at several different Oshkosh public elementary schools before retirement in 1987. Through additional night and summer courses, Bryan sought and earned his Masters Degree in education from UW-Madison.  

For many years, he organized the Oshkosh youth summer baseball league. Both Bryan and Arlyss were faithful members at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, where Bryan was not only an original member, but also held a variety of church council offices until December 2021 when his health did not allow it.  Bryan also served on various boards at Winnebago Lutheran Academy.  Having played multiple sports, Bryan’s passion was all things athletic. Softball became his life-time activity, which he played until the age of 79 when Arlyss’s health demanded his attention. He served on the Oshkosh Giants’s Board of Directors for many years.  

In 2012 he was proudly inducted into the Wisconsin State Baseball League Hall of Fame.  Bryan and Arlyss were their grandchildren’s number one fans, attending every ball game or event in which they participated, even willing to babysit without much notice. When the grandchildren were grown, Bryan avidly followed the Packers, Bucks, Brewers, and the Wisconsin Badgers, always the armchair coach.   If no ball game could be found, the Hallmark channel was also a favorite. Bryan was well-loved and respected by all who knew him.  His charm and flirtatious wit were always a hit at local restaurants.  His presence on earth will leave a huge void in many hearts, yet those hearts also rejoice in Bryan’s Heavenly Homecoming with His loving Savior and fellow saints already gone before.

Bryan is survived by his two children, Kay (David) Wege and Lee (Chari) Purchatzke; grandchildren, Jessica (Saul) Bosquez, Tyson (Malinda) Purchatzke; Jaime (Damien) Ehlert, Ross (Lauren) Purchatzke, Joseph (Brittany Bera) Wege, Joshua Wege, and Jordyn (Jonathon) Schalk; great-grandchildren, Parker Grede, Nolan Purchatzke, Sawyer Schalk, Graydon Purchatzke, Isabella Bosquez, Julianna and Peyton Schalk. Bryan is further survived by his sister-in-law, Shirley Purchatzke; and friend and caregiver Frani Tigert.

In addition to his parents, Bryan is preceded in death by his wife, Arlyss; brothers, Vernon and Willard (Donna) Purchatzke; and sister, Beverly (George) Hayes.

A service for Bryan will be held at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church (1745 Ohio St) on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.  An internment service will be conducted at the Wolf River Cemetery in Fremont after the meal celebrating Bryan’s early Easter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Dundee, as well as Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac.