Joseph ‘Joe’ Hemesath

Joseph “Joe” Herman Hemesath age 86 of Decorah, IA, passed from this life following a short illness on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 in his home surrounded by his family.

Joe was born Nov. 3, 1932 to Herman and Helen (Tieskoetter) Hemesath at rural Ossian, Iowa. He was baptized at St. Francis De Sales Church in Ossian and received First Communion and Confirmation at St. Aloysius Church in Calmar. He attended St Aloysius Catholic School and Calmar High School graduating with the class of 1951. Following graduation, Joe worked on the family farm until entering the US Army in November 1953 where he served two years including 18 months in Germany. Joe married Alice Brown Feb. 1, 1956 at St Bridget Church in Bluffton, Iowa. Five children were born to this union.

They farmed south of Decorah for 3 years before moving to what is now Hemesath Farms north of Decorah where they farmed for 36 years. He devoted his entire career to farming. Joe and Alice moved into Decorah in 1995 but he continued farming at a more leisurely pace helping his son, Keith and grandsons who took over the family farm. He was an active member of numerous community organizations including being a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church for 63 years. Joe served the parish as an usher, church council member and school board member and as a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was active in the Farm Bureau, Winneshiek County Fair Board, the Pork, Corn and Soybean Associations, Aase Haugen Homes Board, 4-H and soil conservation. He was a member of the Helof Holm VFW Post 1977. Joe enjoyed visiting with family and friends, playing cards, reading, his morning coffee group at the Family Table. His favorite past times were traveling the countryside and family gatherings.

Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alice, and 5 children; Mary (Ed) Payne, Decorah, IA; Jolene (John) Frankhouse, Marion, IA; Keith (Linda) Hemesath, Decorah, IA; Martha (Bob) Kane, Decorah, IA; and Brad (Trisha) Hemesath, Charles City, IA. Sixteen grandchildren: Whitney (Kenny) Lents, Ross (Anna) Payne, Mariah (Morgan) McCabe, Andrew (Sylvia Lei) Frankhouse, Tyler (friend Gillian Randall) Frankhouse, Mitchel (BreAnn) Hemesath, Adam (Hannah) Hemesath, Ryan Hemesath, Kilah (Joel) Watson, Garret (friend Hannah Klotzbach) Hemesath, Lucas, Kyle and Anna Kane, Cade, Cael and Elayna Hemesath. Seven great-grandchildren: Aiden and Audrey Hemesath, Alexis and Natalie Hemesath, Keaton Lents, Sidney McCabe and Jackson Payne. Two sisters: Rosemary (Grady) Whitehorne, Richmond, VA Eleanor Spielbauer, Cedar Rapids, IA. Two brothers: Norbert (Suzanne) Hemesath, Cedar Rapids, IA and Fred (Frances) Hemesath, Ossian, IA. Sister-in-law: Frances Syverson. Decorah, IA. and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Helen Hemesath; his mother and father-in-law, William and Mary Brown; In-laws: Larry Spielbauer, Helen (Lester) Engen, Regina (Willard) Weber, Rose (Lester) Sharp, Rita (Kenny) Rude, Lavern Syverson (John William Brown in infancy); (Mary Ellen and Evelyn Theresa Brown in infancy).