Josephine Mary Differding

Josephine Mary (Kockelman) Differding was born on February 6, 1922, in Omro Township, Yellow Medicine County, to Phillip and Mary (Betzen) Kockelman. She grew up in Omro Township and attended school in St. Leo. On May 24, 1944, she began what would be a 61 year marriage to Joe Differding. The couple farmed and raised their family north of Taunton. Volunteering was very important to Josie and Joe. The couple visited many people over the years in nursing homes and hospitals. Josie was also very active at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church. She belonged to the CCW, Choir, and for many years ironed the altar linens. She was a lifetime member of the Catholic Aid Association. Josie enjoyed bowling, square dancing, baking Belgian cookies, ironing, playing bingo and word puzzles. Josie died on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota. Josie is survived by her sons David of San Francisco, CA, Paul (and Ellen) of Chanhassen, Daniel of San Antonio, TX, daughters LuAnn (and Mike) Fier of Minneota and Bev (and Greg) DeVos of Plymouth, grandchildren Sara (and Troy)Winkler, Kari (and Tom) Roepke, Nicole, Melanie, Stephanie and Melissa Differding, Jason (and Becky) Fier, Scott, Ryan and Jenna Fier, Caitlin and Nick DeVos, great-granchildren Amy and Miranda Mathies, Kaleigh, Mackenzie and Carson Roepke, Cade and Avery Fier. Also survived by, brother Wilfred “Slick” (and Jan) Kockelman and sisters Mathilda (and Bill) Ruhr and Regina (and Larry) Fox, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded indeath by her husband Joe, daughters Bonnie and Brenda, grandson Neil, brothers Bernard, Sylvester, Virgil, Leo and Herman and sisters Lucy Wenker, Susan Hartmann, Ludvina Scheffler, Leona McMahon and Threscilla Kockelman. Comments (1)