John D. Kottke, age 45, of New Prague, died Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at his home.  John was born December 10, 1966 in Westbrook, MN to Donald A. & Leona M. (Kleven) Kottke. He was born and raised in Westbrook and attended Mankato State University.  He married Heidi E. Haag on March 26,1994 in Blue Earth, MN. John was a computer programmer for Kings Way America International Insurance Company. John served as past president and board member of the New Prague Hockey Association.  He was very active and served in various positions at Trondhjem Lutheran Church including church council, call committee, youth leader, and sunday school teacher.  John was active coaching his sons’ hockey, basketball, and baseball teams and was a life-time member of the waterville Sportsman’s Club.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, golfing, attending his sons’ sporting events, serving as public address announcer for New Prague High School boys and girls hockey and basketball, refereeing all levels (i.e. college, high school, and middle school) football, and farming.  He enhhoyed family vacations up north and will be noted for his great sense of humor and his “Johnisms”.

John is survived by his wife, Heidi; sons, Austin & Noah; mother, Leona Kottke; siblings, Darla (& Fred) Bloch, Ronald (& Shari) Kottke, LeRoy (& Bonnie) Kottke, Kevin (& MariKay) Kottke, Diane Kottke, Dawn Possehl, Mary (& Paul) Tomasek, Keith (& Chiloe) Kottke, & Kristi (& Kevin) Curd; parents-in-law, Frank & Margaret Haag; brother-in-law, Ryan (& Brenda) Haag.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 4, 2012 at Bruzek Funeral Home from 4 – 8 PM.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 5th, at 11:00 AM at the NP Public Schools Central Campus Gymnasium with Pastor Howard White and Pastor Janet White officiating.  Burial will occur at a later date at St. Olaf Lutheran Church Cemetery in Walnut Grove, MN.