Edward Duane Krcmar, 78, passed away unexpectedly of a stroke on Saturday, January 20. He was born in Wisconsin Rapids on May 9, 1945, to Frank and Marjorie (Rowe) Krcmar. He married Joanne (Meier) Krcmar on June 7, 1969, and they happily shared 54 years together. He was a proud and involved father to his three children and seven grandchildren.

Ed was a 1963 graduate of Alexander High School in Nekoosa, where he was an honor student, class president, and played football, baseball, and basketball, earning 13 varsity letters (including two in football his senior year). He was drafted by Major League Baseball but decided to attend UW-Eau Claire and play football and baseball instead. As a freshman in the fall '63, he played running back and defensive back on the undefeated Blugold Conference Championship team. He graduated in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and earned his master's in physical education from UW-La Crosse in 1971.

Ed's passion for coaching football started as a graduate assistant at UW–Eau Claire. He then coached at Eau Claire North, UW-La Crosse, Grantsburg, and 41 years at Ashwaubenon High School (12 as head coach). He was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008.

Ed also loved coaching baseball for 42 years. He coached all levels from Little League through American Legion. He was head Jaguar coach for 25 years, also serving as an assistant for 13. Ed thoroughly enjoyed watching his daughter Kelly coach softball, watching son Ryan umpire baseball, and assisting son Jay coach the Waupaca Legion team for five years. He was humbled to have the Klipstine Park baseball field named after him, which was the Jaguar home field during his coaching career. He served as president of the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1996.

Ed also was a dedicated teacher. He taught at Eau Claire Junior High, Eau Claire North, and at Grantsburg. In 1973, he moved to Ashwaubenon where he taught math and physical education, served as president of the teachers' union, and was named Teacher of the Year by his peers.

After retiring, he served as the Ashwaubenon School District's Energy Education Coordinator. Additionally, when the Misty Meadow Condominiums were being built, Ed was instrumental in organizing the new residents and served as president of the condo association for 10 years.

He is survived by his wife Joanne, daughter Kelly (Jerry), sons Jay (Elizabeth) and Ryan (Jess). Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Koda and Kylie Kinjerski; Brandon, Drew, and Parker Krcmar; and Kaiya and Gavin Zold. In addition, he is survived by brothers Gene (Shirl), Jim (Donette), and Larry; brother-in-law Dick (Mary) Meier, and many nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, father and mother-in-law, and twin nieces.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 26, at Ryan Funeral Home from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with closing prayer service at 7:00 (live streamed). Visitation will continue at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9:00-10:45 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Ed Krcmar to Ashwaubenon Youth Baseball (900 Anderson Dr, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304) or Cerebral Palsy (2801 S Webster Ave, Green Bay WI 54301).