Joe Medek

Joe J. Medek 64 year-old resident of Pierz, MN passed away Friday, May 3, 2013 at his home in Pierz, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, May 6, 2013 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Hillman, MN with Father Gregg Poser officiating. Burial will take place in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Friends may call 4-8 P.M. on Sunday and from 9:30-10:30 A.M. on Monday at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Hillman, MN. Parish prayers will be held at 7 P.M. on Sunday at the Church. A celebration of life gathering will be held at the Center Valley Saw Mill immediately following the interment on Monday. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz, MN. Joseph James Medek was born on March 18, 1949 in Little Falls, MN to the late Edward and Gertrude (Tretter) Medek. He spent his early childhood days in North Dakota where his parents worked for a crop farmer. They later moved back to Minnesota and after some time bought and ran the Center Valley Store and Sawmill. Joe spent his early years helping at the family mill. In 1969 Joe was drafted and served his country in the Vietnam War. He was united in marriage to Carol Polasek on May 4, 1974 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski, MN. The couple resided in rural Pierz where they raised their children. Joe always had a part in the Sawmill and when Eddie could no longer run it he took it over. He had several jobs through out the years. His most recent was at IWCO and the Pierz Post Office. Joe’s faith was truly tested over the past year with his illness. He was always up beat and positive even when he was hurting inside. Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, especially evenings on the deck with Carol, creating inventions with the boys, and watching ball games with his daughter. He also loved taking the grandchildren for rides on the four-wheeler and tractor. Some of his favorite pass times were sawing logs, hunting, fishing, or just kicking back, relaxing with a cold one. He was a member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Hillman, MN. Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Carol Medek of Pierz, MN; sons, Craig (Jessy) Medek of Royalton, MN, Brad (Kelly) Medek of Pierz, MN; daughter, Kelly (fiancé Patrick Stangl) Medek of Pierz, MN; grandchildren, Will, Sarah, Grace, Laura, Zack, Leo, Owen, Aidan, and one on the way; brother, Larry (Nancy) Medek of Pierz, MN; and sister, Cheryl (Les) Hughes of St. Cloud, MN. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Gertrude Medek. In Lieu of Flowers Memorials Preferred to: Hope Lodge in Minneapolis, MN or Coborn’s Cancer Center in St. Cloud, MN.

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Joe Medek

March 18, 1949 - May 3, 2013