Joe died peacefully after having been a medical miracle for the past few decades, surviving a multitude of heart attacks and procedures. His heart was generous and loving but was the cause of so many late-night hospital visits. His family would like to thank all the medical professionals who were able to smile and handle "Joe's way of doing things" and laugh along with him. He loved to tease them and tell jokes. Joe enjoyed the relationships he made during those difficult times and would bring his caregivers Christmas treats. Joe was a talker and loved to laugh but was a man who liked things to go as planned; he never met a list he didn't like. In the end, his family was able to say their goodbyes and he left this world knowing that everything was in order and that he was loved.

Joe was born on May 3, 1944, in Waukesha, WI to Joseph and Anita Maretech. He spent his youth outside, hunting and fishing. His parents encouraged it. Often, his mother would take the pheasants he had killed, clean them, and pick out the shot, even though they had plenty of pheasants in a pen next to the house. He learned the value of hard work early on, getting paid in pennies from farmers for bailing hay and being assistant to the assistant custodian at a country club in Waukesha (he did the things that no one else wanted to do).

Joe graduated from high school in 1962 and joined the Air Force shortly thereafter. He was stationed in scenic North Dakota and occasionally hitchhiked his way home to enjoy his mom´s cooking. After serving his country for four years, Joe moved back to Waukesha. In May of 1967, Joe attended the wedding of a friend and met wedding crasher, Sharon Petrycka, and asked her to dance. Joe swept her off her feet with his dancing skills and boyish charm and they were married two years later in spite of him telling her, "If we are together in six months, we will get married".

Joe spent his life taking care of his family. He was Cub Master and Boy Scout leader for his son, Mike, taking time to share his love of the outdoors with him and others. Joe was also a soccer coach and softball coach for his daughter, Beth, and granddaughter, Sascha. He loved being a part of the community and helping kids grow. He was a kind coach and leader, not one to get mad and yell (on the field…the drive home was always interesting). He encouraged and used humor and relationships to motivate others. He even kept coaching after his daughter aged out of summer softball. Ironically, that was the team that ended up winning and moving on in tournaments, almost making it to the World Series. Joe also supported his granddaughter Sascha's love of animals (she is not an avid hunter, quite the opposite) by keeping a log of her pet rat's activities when she was away at work. He understood how special and important they were to her. Joe also supported his granddaughter Madison, by making sure that every month he added to her college fund. He invested in her future. She didn't live in Wisconsin until she was in middle school, so coaching and sharing his passions were not an option. After Madison moved to Wisconsin, Joe made sure that he was in the stands, cheering her on at softball and volleyball and anything else she was involved in. Joe shared his love of the outdoors with Mike, Beth, and Sascha whenever they would accompany him on an outing. Once when he took Mike and Beth out to check on his tree stand, he fought off a swarm of bees (it looked like a safe log to jump on) and football-carried his kids to safety in a cornfield. The hero of the story got stung the most.

Joe spent his life in the printing industry, but always found time for trips up north to continue hunting and fishing. Many fish were caught, and even more stories were told. After so many years of being the deer slayer, he selflessly leaves his wife Sharon in possession of a large collection of mounts and antlers. Joe enjoyed yearly trips with friends and spending time at Thunder Bay Resort on Lac Vieux Desert with his wife and family. He and Sharon also loved going out to dinner where Joe would tease the waitresses with requests for things like, "One "dilla", because he didn't want a quesadilla (get it?, case of dillas?) or frozen bologna cake for dessert. In spite of his children's eyerolls and his wife's shocked gasps, Joe never backed down on his dad-joke food requests in restaurants.

Joe retired from Winnebago Color Press in Appleton at age 60. After retirement, Joe's health slowed him down with hunting and fishing, and he looked forward to his monthly poker games. Clearly, no real money was ever used (wink, wink) but he usually had an abundance of nickels at the end of the game. He loved the camaraderie of those evenings. Towards the end of his life, all the games had to be at his house.

His wife, Sharon, was his main caretaker for the past few years. They made a pact that when things got tough, they would take care of each other. His wife was selfless in her care of Joe, as he was vehemently opposed to spending time in a nursing home. He wanted his own home, chair, his fan, his remote control, and his family. It was his favorite place and it brought him comfort to be there. Sharon´s selfless, round the clock care allowed him to live his days out exactly as he wanted. He loved her so fiercely and appreciated everything she did for him. Everyone should be so lucky to have that kind of unconditional love.

Joe is survived by his wife, Sharon Maretech, his children Mike Maretech, Beth (Maretech) Loomis, his grandchildren, Sascha Torres, Madison Loomis, and his sister-in-law, Nancy Petrycka (Steve Malisow).  He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Maretech Sr., his mother Anita Maretech, his sister, Kathleen Jansen.

A Memorial Service for Joe will take place at 3 PM, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel with Deacon Lincoln Wood officiating. Friends may visit the family from 1 – 3 PM on Friday. Joe will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Appleton.