John S. Dietz, age 81, of Reedsburg, peacefully passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Our House Memory Care, Reedsburg.

He was born on September 20, 1944, in Waukegan, IL, the son of Ralph and Gertrude (Portegys) Dietz. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake Forest, IL., and was a 1963 graduate of Libertyville High School.

On May 9, 1964, John was united in marriage to Wesley Ann Stage. They started their life together in Lake Bluff, IL where their marriage was blessed with two sons. In 1967, the family moved to Whitewater, WI, and then in 1969, moved to Campbell, California. After enjoying more than a decade of experiencing all California had to offer, especially the beauty of the outdoors and perfect gardening weather, they moved ‘back home’ to Wisconsin in 1981. During this entire time, and until his retirement in 1999, John worked for the United States Postal Service as a Mail Carrier. He was the first Mail Carrier to wear shorts at the Reedsburg Post Office!

John and Wessie have lived in the same house in Rock Springs, WI, since 1981. They were very much ‘homebodies’ who loved spending time restoring their home, time in the yard and sitting on the front porch.

John spent a lot ot time helping his sons build and remodel their homes, along with anyone else who needed a hand with a project! John and Wessie enjoyed spending vacations in Arizona, where they visited family members and helped remodel their homes, too. He was a talented carpenter, cabinet maker, and painter. He loved working the land. He grew a large vegetable garden each year, generously giving much of his harvest to family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who stopped by to admire it!

John was a 45-year member of St. Peter's Ev Lutheran Church in Reedsburg, where he served on many Boards and in many other capacities and made many lifelong friends.

He often joked in his 20+ years of retirement that he didn’t know how he used to have time to work, because he was always involved in something: the family cabinetry business, helping out someone in need with his variety of skills, or just being there as a kind soul with patience when needed. He got deeply involved in politics and social justice in his retirement years, including being a founding member of the Bobfest Progressive Rally, the Reedsburg Area Concerned Citizens group, and many other causes. He was also involved in the Reedsburg Township Leadership and on the Sauk County Board of Supervisors for many years.

John had a servant’s heart and was always thinking of how he could help others, especially the ‘least among us’, just as Jesus instructed us to do. To say he had a spot in his heart for others would be an understatement.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters: Kathy Brown, Patricia “Patsy” Lujanac, Eleanor “Nornie” Hicks, Joanie Hiatt, Trudy Thatcher, Joseph Dietz; and sister-in-law, Debbie Whitaker.

John is survived by his wife, Wessie; sons, David (Theresa) Dietz, Daniel Dietz (Michelle Pierce); grandchildren: Kayla (Raymond) Stolarski, Kendall (Caleb) Marston, Matthew (Jacie) Dietz, Melissa Dietz; great grandchildren: Raymond Jr and Brooke Stolarski, Kennedy, Reed and Madison Marston; sister, Mary Kriner; brothers and sister-in-law, Cary (Linda) Stage and Tony Whitaker, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating the life of John S. Dietz will be conducted at 11:00 am on Friday, May 1, 2026, at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Reedsburg. Pastor Paul Crolius will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday morning from 9:00 am until the time of the service at the church and luncheon following at St. Peter’s.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St Peter’s Church Foundation or Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern WI.

John’s Family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Our House Memory Care for their kind and loving care during his time there.