Joseph Kemmerick

Joseph William Kemmerick 98, of Austin, MN died peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, March 24th at St. Mark’s in Austin. Joe was born April 1st, 1919 in Leonore, Il to Frank and Elizabeth (Fluech) Kemmerick. The family moved to Williams, IA when Joe was a baby and to a farm near Stacyville, IA at age 7 where he attended Visitation Catholic School. He served in the US Army during WW II from May 1942 until honorably discharged in November 1945. He served in the Pacific and was an “Avenger of Bataan.” He was united in marriage on October 30, 1946, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Meyer, Iowa to Dorothy Marie Wolf. Together they raised seven children on a farm south of Austin. While farming he worked for 36 years at Hormel, retiring in 1981. After living on the farm 46 years, they moved to Austin in 1996. Joe loved farming, gardening and watching things grow. He would spend hours at the fair looking at big farm equipment. He could fix anything and was full of ingenuity. He really liked his new cars! He enjoyed playing games, especially cards, grilling steaks, and above all, spending time with family. He was a devoted husband, father and a good neighbor, and was known for his sense of humor. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 71 years, seven children, Norma Holmes, Exton, PA, Ryan (Patricia), Rochester, MN, Randy (Judy) ,Seymour, MO, Mark (Joan) Austin, MN, Sheila (Tom) Brownlow, Rochester, MN, Brenda Kemmerick, Minneapolis, MN, Susan (William) Horner, Spring, TX; 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren: Christopher (Amy) Holmes, &Tyler, Zachary, Andrew; Jennifer Holmes & Rome; Sarah Holmes; Kate (Michael) Poterucha & Emily; Sarah (Michael) Boyd; Adam (Breanna) Kemmerick & Mason, Finley and Brody; Sean (Jenni) Brownlow & Cole, Elayna, Avery; Michael (Abbie) Brownlow & Ellie; Kristen Brownlow. Sisters; Pauline, Florence, Dorothy and Lucille. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marcella and Leona; brother Bernard; infant brother and sister; granddaughter Ann. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2:30 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father James Steffes officiating. There will be a 7:45 pm prayer service on Tuesday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 5-8 pm. There will also be visitation one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and VFW Post #1216. Memorials may be donated to St. Augustine Church Restoration Project. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery
4th Drive SW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Tuesday, March 27 2018
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Mayer Funeral Home
600 2nd Street NW P.O. Box 27
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Wednesday, March 28 2018
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

St. Augustine Catholic Church
405 4th Street NW
Austin MN 55912

Service

Wednesday, March 28 2018
2:30 PM

St. Augustine Catholic Church
405 4th Street NW
Austin MN 55912