Joseph J. “Joe” Wille
Joseph John “Joe” Wille, 89, of Garnavillo passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Anna, and daughter, Theresa by his side on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.
Visitation was Sunday, Jan. 21, at Morris Funeral Home in Garnavillo and before services at the church.
Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 22, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garnavillo, conducted by Rev. John Moser and Rev. Marvin Bries.
Burial was in the church cemetery with military honors.
Joe was born on June 7, 1934, at home east of Garnavillo, the son of Joseph Leo and Theresa (Schaefers) Wille.
Joe attended school in the Garnavillo area until the eighth grade. Joe then began hauling canned milk for the Garnavillo Co-Op Creamery. In October of 1956, he was called to serve his country until July of 1958 when he was honorably discharged. When Joe returned from serving, he continued his milk route that his brother, Ray, had been handling while Joe was in the service. Joe proudly served in South Korea. He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus.
On Aug. 22, 1959, he married the love of his life, Anna Marie Henkels. Together, they began their farming career on the farm south of Garnavillo. They proudly raised seven children on their small 80 acre farm, never having much, but always getting by. Besides farming, Joe was the “Jack of all trades, but master of none” from cement work, to carpentry, to electrical, and mechanical…he did it all.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Anna; children, Tom (Luann) Wille, Tony (Liz) Wille, Ted Wille, Andy (Amber) Wille, Theresa (Mark) Nemechek, Carl (Kelly) Wille, Phil (Tonya) Wille; 22 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren with two on the way; one great-great-grandchild on the way; siblings, Mary Hampton, Rita Lansing, Ed (Agnes) Wille; in-laws, Herman Phillip, Joe (Jeanette) Henkels, and Ervin (Mary Katherine) Henkels.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Sister Josanne Wille, Bernice Phillip, Clara (Stanley) Moser, Dorothy (Keith) Schmelzer, Nell (Harold) Preuss, Ray (Laura) Wille, Theresa Huinker; in-laws, Walt Hampton, John Lansing, Ray Henkels, Eldora (Frank) Ploessel, and Emmet Henkels.
Information is available at www.morrisfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be sent to Morris Funeral Home (in care of the deceased), 207 S. First St., Guttenberg, IA 52052.
