U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, Joseph J. Altmann, 27, Marshfield, died on December 25, 2011 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, January 6, 2012 at St. Johns Catholic Church, Marshfield. Rev. Charles Stoetzel and Rev. David Rybicki will officiate and music will be provided by Suzanne Golden as organist for St. Johns Church Funeral Choir. Burial with full military honors will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery and the United States Army Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers. The visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Columbus Catholic High School, Marshfield. A combined parish and Knights of Columbus rosary service will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday at Columbus High School. Joe was born on December 15, 1984 in Marshfield, the son of John and Janice (Spencer) Altmann. He attended Marshfield area Catholic Schools and was a 2003 graduate of Columbus Catholic High School. He also attended the University of Wisconsin, Wood County and University of Wisconsin Marathon County before active duty in the Army in April of 2005. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, graduating in July 2005. He trained as combat medic at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, graduating in November 2005. Joe completed further medic training in October 2010 when he was awarded the Expert Field Medic Badge. This was a multiday training and testing course that culminated in a twelve mile run which needed to be completed in under three hours. Of the 160 participants that started, only 12 completed and were awarded the badge. He was initially assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Division, Giessen Germany and served 1st tour of duty in Iraq from January 2006 to March of 2007. He returned to the states in June 2007 to begin assignment at Walter Reed Army Hospital until June 2008 when he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division station at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He served a 2nd tour in Iraq in 2009 before returning to HI. He began his 3rd tour of duty in Kunar Province Afghanistan in April 2011. He was due to complete his tour in February or March of 2012. He married Nikki Lee Nichols on February 15, 2011 in a private ceremony on the beach in Honolulu, HI. Joe was an avid outdoorsman and lived his life to the fullest. He is remembered most for his quiet demeanor and unwavering friendship. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, 3, Army Achievement Medal, 3, Army Good Conduct Medal, 2, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, 2, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, 4, Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qual Badge. He also received NATO Medal, Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is lovingly survived by his wife, Nikki, his parents, John and Jan Altmann of Marshfield, a sister, Kristen (fiancй Pat Niehaus) Altmann, and brothers, Robert and Michael Altmann, all of Marshfield. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Caroline Neuman of Marshfield, and his paternal grandparents, James and Geraldine Altmann of Marshfield. He is further survived by mother and father-in-law, Kelly and Nick Nichols, brothers-in-law, Seth and Scott Nichols, of Smithville, Texas and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, James Spencer, and paternal step grandfather, Norbert Neuman. In lieu of flowers memorials may be designated to Columbus Catholic High School, USO, Fisher House, or Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com Visitation: 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm on January 5, 2012 at Columbus Catholic High School, Marshfield, Wisconsin Service: 10:30 am on January 6, 2012 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Marshfield, Wisconsin