Joe Drinkwitz

Funeral Services for Joe Drinkwitz, age 88, of Wheaton, MN was held Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at the Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton. Pastor Tim Shekleton officiated. Visitation was held Monday evening from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Joes nine grandchildren were his pallbearers: Ryan and Kiel Drinkwitz, Brad Wolbersen, Larry Swanson, Susan Flogstad, Jody Miller, Lori Rogers, Scott and LeeRoy Ruona. Burial will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton. Military Rites were held following the funeral service. Joe was born on August 31,1917 on the family farm in Walls Township of Traverse County. He was the son of Karl and Ida (Miller) Drinkwitz. Joe was taken from this life to eternal rest with God on April 12, 2006 at the Stevens County Medical Center in Morris. Joe grew up on a farm west of town. He attended a country school through the 8th grade. After school he would work with relatives on their farms. At age 25, Joe married Dorothy Mossberg in Meade, South Dakota on April 2, 1942. Joe was the first man to enlist into the Army from Traverse County for WWII. He fought in Germany and France and returned to the United States after five years of service. Joe then settled on the Drinkwitz farm to raise his family. He did custom baling with his trusty Jeep and New Holland Baler while running a dairy farm until he retired in the late 1970's. Joe enjoyed fishing and hunting pheasant, duck and deer. He didn't like venison and once traded it for a pig from another farmer! He also enjoyed playing cards, especially hand and foot with his family and friends. Joe was on the Wheaton School Board during the time his children were attending school. He was a member of Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton, MN and also served on the Church Board. Joe and Dorothy moved to Morris, Minnesota last November so he would be close to the hospital for his dialysis. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary with friends and family at West Wind Villa in Morris, MN where Joe was recuperating after his hip surgery. Joe is survived by his wife: Dorothy. Three children: Kathy (Bob) Wolbersen of Morris, Stan (Mary) Drinkwitz of Wheaton, Janice (Bob) Miller of White Bear Lake, MN. He also has two surviving sisters: Rose Goodner of San Diego, CA and Eva Whitten of Kingsville, Maryland, Nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by: his parents, 3 brothers; Walter, Edmond and Elmer Drinkwitz, two sisters; Myrtle Rinke and Lillie Wagner and daughter; Jean Ann Ruona.