Joseph Wambeke

Joseph Alphonse Wambeke was born on June 30, 1930, in Westerheim Township to Ferdinand and Margaret (DeCock) Wambeke. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Minneota High School. Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1951 – 1953. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a welder and steam fitter for Wright Plumbing and Heating in Marshall. On May 21, 1960, he was united in marriage to Pauline Traen at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. The couple farmed and raised their family one mile west of Minneota. Joe had a very mechanical mind. He was very skilled at building and creating machinery including many items on the farm. He loved the land and he respected life. After the couple moved off the farm and into Minneota in 2005, Joe continued planting a large garden. He enjoyed music and taught himself to play the organ and accordion. Joe could be described as a simple man with an excellent work ethic and a very reasoned philosophy of right and wrong. Joseph died on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota. He is survived by his wife, Pauline, of Minneota, children JoAnn (and Rich) Dorman of Marshall, Joseph (and Jodi) Wambeke of Sunburg, MN, Barb (and Tom) Griebel of Pipestone, Nancy (and Bruce) Van Keulen of Minneota, John (and Jill) Wambeke of Taunton, Ann (and Dan) Millar of Goddard, KS, grandchildren Janna, Nick and Jeff Dorman, Cassy, Becca and Lucas Griebel, Claire (and Rik) Danielson, Julie, Carly and Troy Van Keulen, Truman and Riley Wambeke and Brynn Millar, siblings Dorothy Vlaminck, Marian Dau, Jean (and Darrell) Miller, James (and Jean) Wambeke, Gloria (and Joe) Lanners, Mary (and Lee) Neuman, William (and Donna) Wambeke, Dennis (and Judy) Wambeke, sister-in-law Janet Wambeke, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard, brothers-in-law Gaston Vlaminck, Bob Hornstein and Gene Dau and grandson Adam Griebel.