John A. Nurkala

John A. Nurkala, age 90, of Hancock, passed away May 14, 2026 at Wild Rose Hospital.

John was born January 19, 1936 in Milwaukee the son of August and Marian (Dittloff) Nurkala. John married the love of his life Marie N. Balastreri on June 4, 1955.

John grew up in the Milwaukee area where he attended high school began his career as a mason worker and started raising his family. He and Marie found their dream property in Hancock, Wisconsin where John built their home. John was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family especially on the pontoon have a cold one on Fish Lake.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marie Nurkala; his children, Cheryl (Mark) Harris, John (Janet) Nurkala, Kim Nurkala, Karen (Anthony) Held, Carol (Tom) Goeller and Tom (Jeanine) Nurkala; six grandchildren, Sara, Emily, Samantha, Jessica, Nicholas and Steven; five great grandchildren, Blake, Isabella, Sophia, Wesley, Cruz and Isla; two sisters, Peggy and Mary Theresa; further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Paul and a sister, Joyce.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 6th at 1:00 p.m. at Jug’s Hitching Post in Kohlsville, WI.