Joseph Duevel, Jr.

Joseph H. “Joe” Duevel, Jr., age 83 of Elrosa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. David Grundman officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Lake Henry American Legion.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa.

Joseph Henry Duevel, Jr. was born April 21, 1936 in Melrose, Minnesota to Joseph, Sr. and Helen (Schmidt) Duevel.   Joe served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1959.  On July 3, 1962 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Jennissen at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.  Joe worked as a butter maker for the Melrose Creamery and the Elrosa Creamery.  He then became a custodian for the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School District for over 30 years, retiring in 1998. After retirement, Joe drove bus for Kraemer Bus Service in Greenwald and worked at CHS Prairie Lakes in Elrosa.

He was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa where he served as a bell ringer and custodian for many years. Joe was a volunteer fire fighter with the Elrosa Fire Department and retired after 32 years of service. He was a member of the Lake Henry American Legion Post 612 and was inducted into the Elrosa Baseball Hall of Fame and a member of the Elrosa Saints Baseball Club.  Joe enjoyed telling stories, spending time with his family, especially with the grandchildren, fishing, baseball, hunting, spending time at the lake, and fixing things.

Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Dorothy Duevel of Elrosa; children, Bruce (Carla) Duevel of De Pere, Wisconsin, Steve Duevel of Sauk Centre, Jim (Michelle) Duevel of Rosemount, Lori (Matt) Haupert of Sartell, and Randy (Jill) Duevel of Prior Lake; 9 grandchildren; brother, Ed “Eddie” Duevel of Sauk Centre; and sister, Lorraine Schmidt of Sauk Centre.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ervin and Jerome Duevel; and sister, Bernice Kuefler.

Serving as casket bearers will be Bruce Duevel, Steve Duevel, Jim Duevel, Matt Haupert, Randy Duevel, and Matt Breitbach.  Cross bearer will be Shawn Duevel and scripture bearer will be Adam Duevel.