Joseph J. Gutschow Jr., 59, of Blair died Monday, Sept. 20, 2010, at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha.

Funeral services were Thursday at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Burial was held in Holy Cross Cemetery in Blair.

Joseph James Gutschow Jr., was born Dec. 16, 1950, in Omaha to Joseph and Shirley (Young) Gutschow. He lived in Beatrice for 23 years.

He moved back to Blair in 1973 where he joined the ENCOR program and worked at Lozier's in Omaha. He was an active participant in Special Olympics and loved Saturdays at the YMCA pool.

He will be most remembered for his love of life, his family, and everyone he met. Everyone will smile when they think of his passions for wrestling, Nebraska football, dancing the hokey-pokey any chance he could, bowling, eating (especially ice cream and pancakes), music of all kinds, and family gatherings at the farm, more than ever at the holidays.

He is survived by his mother, Shirley Gutschow of Blair; five brothers and sisters: Mary and Chuck Moller of New Haven, Conn., John and Jane Gutschow of Green Bay, Wis., James and Pamela Gutschow of Kansas City, Mo., Mark and Bonnie Gutschow of Blair, and Amy and Chad Kluza of Bennington; 13 nieces and nephews; and three great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph James Gutschow and grandparents John and Florence Young and Walter and Verna Gutschow.

Memorials may be given to St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church or Special Olympics.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.