Joseph J. Wille

GARNAVILLO, IOWA

Joseph John “Joe” Wille, 89, of Garnavillo, Iowa passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Anna, and daughter, Theresa by his side on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Visitation will be held from 1 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Morris Funeral Home in Garnavillo. Visitation will continue from 10 – 11 a.m. at church, prior to funeral services. Rev. John Moser will officiate with Rev. Marvin Bries concelebrating.

Funeral mass will commence at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garnavillo with burial to follow in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded. Rev. Marvin Bries will officiate.

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 8th 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 August 22, 1959, he married the love of his life at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg, 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.

Morris Funeral Home in Garnavillo is assisting the family and information is available at www.morrisfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be sent to Morris Funeral Home (in care of the deceased) 207 South 1st St, Guttenberg, IA 52052.