Joseph G. Zwaska

Joseph G. Zwaska, of Athens, Wisconsin, passed away after an unexpected illness on April 16, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on September 14, 1960, in Madison, Wisconsin, to James and Patricia (Bieth) Zwaska.

Joe graduated from James Madison Memorial High School in 1979 and later completed the Police Science Program at Madison Area Technical College. He spent the majority of his career in law enforcement serving the City of Janesville. In 1996, Joe was honored with the Award for Valor, the highest award presented by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.

After retiring early, Joe and his family moved north, where he proudly embraced life as a “country boy.” He loved riding his Harley through the countryside, stopping to visit friends along the way, and treasured the opportunities to fish, hunt, and trap. Fall was his favorite time of year, especially when he could hunt on his in‑laws’ family farm. Although Joe wasn’t much for games, he was always up for a game of nickels, always had many jokes to tell and loved sharing stories about whatever had most recently happened to him.

Protecting others was central to who Joe was. He was deeply committed to the safety of his family and friends and made sure they knew how to protect themselves as well. Joe’s strength, loyalty, and dedication to protecting others will be remembered always by those whose lives he touched. In keeping with his lifelong dedication to caring for others, Joe’s final—and perhaps greatest—gift was being an organ donor. Through his generosity as an organ donor, Joe’s legacy of service and care for others will live on.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Wendy Winn; loving daughters Audra Zwaska and Devon Winn (Kody Meyer); siblings Ann (Nick) DeRose , Connie (Ronn) LaBrasca and Mike (Amy) Zwaska; brother‑in‑law Brett Thompson and sister‑in‑law Jaimie Winn (Elvis Haemer); and many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Patricia Zwaska; his sister, Janet Thompson; and his parents‑in‑law, James and Donna Winn.

A Celebration of Life will be held this fall with further details to follow.