Joe will now be with his little drinking buddy Keith when Ellen and Joe would come to visit Keith and Joe would end up at Fischer’s Bar and Joe would be in trouble they always enjoyed themselves they are both missed

I remember deer hunting Joe and Ellen came up for the week we hurried to get chores done done and head to Wisconsin Rapids meet up with uncles and drive the woods Joe wanted to get a deer so Ellen could have a deer skin coat. Joe was on a stand a big doe walked out of the brush he put his scope on it and down the doe went Ellen had her skin for her coat 🧥

Joe was a sweet person. He never raised his voice unless Kyle and I stole his smokes and hide them when we were younger. During family gathering, Vernita would start complaining or get after someone and Joe would turn over to me and say, “Even the devil wouldn’t debate your grandmother today. We all are going to hears it today.” I laughed each time I heard it.
During college, I was able to make the fastpitch team as a catcher. Joe and Ellen came up to Eau Claire, WI to watch my game. After the game Joe told me that he was so proud of me.
On my wedding day, Joe and Ellen were wonderful to allow the use of their RV. Joe drove the wedding party and guests to and from the church, hall and hotel. He told me I looked beautiful and that he was so happy to see the lovely women I have become.
Joe was always the one that could make you laugh during family gathering. He would give a simple comment that ment the world to the person he was telling it to. Thank you Joe for being you and being a part of my life. Thank you Ellen for finding Joe and bringing him into the Steinke family!

Uncle joe where to begin… the most fond memories I have is hearing of Ellen and Joe coming to visit Ray and Vernita I would get so excited, the one on one talks in the garage about life were ones that will will not be forgotten and still use to this day. I remember hiding your smokes with steph and you getting not very happy with us, I know you are in a much better place with our family that is already there. Keep a eye on us and guide and we live the rest of our days. We still meet again and have one hell of a party rest easy joe! Oh one last thing the bears still suck!!!

Even though I was young, and surprisingly shorter than I am today, Joe I will always remember sitting in the garage at Grandma Steinke’s, and just talking till dinner/supper was usually done. You always had some story that would keep us going on for hours. Rest Easy uncle Joe!

Even though I was young, and surprisingly shorter than I am today, Joe I will always remember sitting in the garage at Grandma Steinke’s, and just talking till dinner/supper was usually done. You always had some story that would keep us going on for hours. Rest Easy uncle Joe!

I have many memories of Joe, too many to share on here. The biggest thing I will remember Joe for is when he would come visit us in the summer. It never failed, we would spend that time as Ellen would call it, “family day.” We would clean or do some sort of project that we had not gotten to. I never knew if Joe enjoyed those times or not. I know when I was a young man, I hated those days. Ellen and Joe kept us moving so well we always accomplished our tasks.

He will be missed. In my classes I tell my students about some of the lessons I learned from him. Rest easy Joe…

Thanksgiving always meant that Uncle Joe and Aunt Ellen were coming up to Wisconsin for the weekend. Which meant food, laughs, work, and just time together. It also maybe there was a chance that we got out of farm chores to spend time with them at Grandmas 😉. I will always remember Uncle Joe’s spikey jet black hair, his Chicago Bears jacket, his laugh and quick whit, his occasional eye roll at something Grandma would say, and his smile when we all would walk in the door to Grandma’s.
Our time together may have been limited, but it was so cherished.

I remember one year we were visiting Joe and Ellen when they lived in Illinois and they took us out on the boat. They took us swimming and we got to watch the fireworks on the water. It was a fun memory, I just wish I
got to see you at least one more time. Rest in peace and look over the rest of us.

We loved visiting with Joe. He was so easy to talk to, told terrific stories and had a great big laugh. No matter how much time passed between visits, Joe made it feel as comfortable as if we saw each other every day. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Joe.

Joe and Ellen dancing and laughing at my wedding. I have video of them dancing and you can see the love they have for each other.May he rest in peace and may his family be at peace knowing he is not in pain anymore.