Anthony John ‘Jack’ Hytrek went to the Lord on May 24, 2025 after a long battle with dementia. Jack was born December 7, 1936 the youngest of 10 kids. His parents, John and Theresa Hytrek, were farmers in Stuart, Nebraska on the land that their family homesteaded.

Jack was the first of the Hytrek boys to go to junior college. After just one semester, he answered the call to serve his country. After his stint in the Army, he went back to school to finish his degree. In the fall of 1962 at Chadron State College, he decided to go to the freshman picnic to find a woman…and find one he did. He met Gayle Abel, the love of his life, and they were married four months later. They had four kids, eight grand kids and were happily married for 62 years.

Being a father and grandfather was something Jack loved. He rarely yelled, made them laugh and taught them right from wrong. He had a lot of patience. He supported them in all their dreams, coached them in sports, went to all their activities and was there whenever they called.

Jack’s career was long and successful. He was a high school social studies teacher who coached every sport for several years. He then went on to get his master’s and doctoral degree, so he could make an even bigger impact on students. He spent a majority of his teaching career in the education department at Peru State College where he made an impact on countless students.

He is survived by his wife, Gayle, and his four children: Lisa (Charles) DeLozier, Kristi (Ken) Vicchiollo, Brad Hytrek, and Jodi (Danny) Becker, six of his grandkids and many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his nine brothers and sisters and his grandchildren, Melissa Diane Cecil and Lyndsey Nicole Becker.

Relatives and friends were invited to attend services at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond St., Appleton, WI, on Monday, June 2, 2025. Burial will took place at the Neshkoro Village Cemetery. To view the full obituary, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association in Jack’s honor.