Joe was born January 7, 1935, at Fulton Run, PA, to Joseph, Sr., and Mary (Blazavich) Kotak. He was raised in Pennsylvania and attended Catholic School. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and served his country honorably.
He met Juanita "Jennie" Linn Munoz and they were married at Jacksonville, NC, on March 20, 1957. They moved to Niagara Falls, NY, where Joe worked in factories. They moved to South Dakota in the 60's where Joe was employed as a lumber grader for Homestake Wood Products company. The family lived in Spearfish.
Joe was a member of the SD Army National Guard for 25 years as a food service specialist. He was a great cook for family and friends. He won several chili cook-off contests in Belle Fourche, Lead, and Deadwood. He and his wife were very good bowlers and won a state championship.
He was the cook at the Lawrence County jail. At least once a week, he baked goodies for the prisoners. He was a good-hearted person.
Joseph Kotak, Jr., 85, Spearfish, died Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at Fort Meade VA Medical Center at Fort Meade, SD.
Survivors include his son, Joseph Karlos; daughter, Karen Kotak; three grandsons, Lance Karlos, Jesse Karlos, and Jacob Kotak; a sister and five sisters-in-law, Vera Iverson, Margaret (George) Gerbracht, Mary Lundstrom, Martha Huffman, and Diana (Arlan) Shoemaker; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jennie in 2016; and several brothers.

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