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1930
Joseph
2011
Joseph Leo Hess Sr.
January 21, 1930 — September 22, 2011
Joseph L. Hess Sr., 81, of Lansing, IA, died Thursday, September 22, 2011, at his home in rural Lansing. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 26th, at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, Lansing. Friends may call from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 3:00 pm scripture service.
Joseph Leo Hess Sr. was born on January 21, 1930 in Waukon, IA, the son of Pius and Elsie (Doehler) Hess. He attended rural Lansing area schools and then went to work on the family farm and hauled milk for a time. On October 11, 1950 he married Shirley Ann Smith at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. They moved to La Crosse, WI where he worked in a bakery for several years before moving back to the home farm near Churchtown, IA where he has farmed ever since. Joe and Shirley ran a dairy herd and raised beef cattle and grain. Joe loved farming and was a hard worker. He was also an excellent handyman and mechanic taking care of most of his own repairs and improvements around the farm. He was known for his willingness to help his neighbors with whatever they needed, asking nothing in return.
Joe was currently a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing and had formerly been an active member of St. Mary's Lycurgus Catholic Church, serving on the church board. He enjoyed fishing, including taking trips to Canada, hunting, trail rides, and going to farm auctions. Family times were special to Joe and he always enjoyed a good visit with his friends and neighbors.
Survivors include his 7 children, John of Waukon, Susan Freeman of Emerald, WI, Michael (Abby) of Denver, CO, Mark of Somerset, WI, Steven and Joseph Jr., both of Lansing, IA, and Deborah Hammel of Decorah, IA; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother, Martin Hess of Peoria, IL; and 2 sisters, LuAnn Gavin of Racine, WI and Georgie Gavin of Lansing, IA. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley who died in 2006; a daughter, Joann Hoisington; and infant son; a son-in-law, Steve Hammel; and 3 sisters, Esther Defloren and Mary and Martha Hess.
Casketbearers are Lance Hammel, Stevie Millerman Jr., Steve Millerman Sr., Mike Ohare, Tom Walleser, and Gary Bahlmann. Honorary casketbearers are Joe's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joseph Leo Hess Sr. was born on January 21, 1930 in Waukon, IA, the son of Pius and Elsie (Doehler) Hess. He attended rural Lansing area schools and then went to work on the family farm and hauled milk for a time. On October 11, 1950 he married Shirley Ann Smith at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. They moved to La Crosse, WI where he worked in a bakery for several years before moving back to the home farm near Churchtown, IA where he has farmed ever since. Joe and Shirley ran a dairy herd and raised beef cattle and grain. Joe loved farming and was a hard worker. He was also an excellent handyman and mechanic taking care of most of his own repairs and improvements around the farm. He was known for his willingness to help his neighbors with whatever they needed, asking nothing in return.
Joe was currently a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing and had formerly been an active member of St. Mary's Lycurgus Catholic Church, serving on the church board. He enjoyed fishing, including taking trips to Canada, hunting, trail rides, and going to farm auctions. Family times were special to Joe and he always enjoyed a good visit with his friends and neighbors.
Survivors include his 7 children, John of Waukon, Susan Freeman of Emerald, WI, Michael (Abby) of Denver, CO, Mark of Somerset, WI, Steven and Joseph Jr., both of Lansing, IA, and Deborah Hammel of Decorah, IA; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother, Martin Hess of Peoria, IL; and 2 sisters, LuAnn Gavin of Racine, WI and Georgie Gavin of Lansing, IA. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley who died in 2006; a daughter, Joann Hoisington; and infant son; a son-in-law, Steve Hammel; and 3 sisters, Esther Defloren and Mary and Martha Hess.
Casketbearers are Lance Hammel, Stevie Millerman Jr., Steve Millerman Sr., Mike Ohare, Tom Walleser, and Gary Bahlmann. Honorary casketbearers are Joe's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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