Joseph Kuefler

Joseph M. "Joe" Kuefler, age 93 of Sauk Centre, formerly of Elrosa, died Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Joseph Math Kuefler was born May 21, 1921 in Lake George Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Leonard and Caroline (Spillman) Kuefler. On September 22, 1953 he married Bernice Duevel at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. The couple farmed near Elrosa until retiring and moving to Sauk Centre in 1984. He served on the Lake George Township board for many years. He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.

Joe took over the family farm in 1942 following his dad's unexpected death. He loved the farm and his John Deere tractors, was proud to have it designated a Century Farm in 1978, and continued to help out on the farm for many years following his retirement. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play basketball and baseball, watching Minnesota Twins baseball and All Star Wrestling. He always kept his cars clean, especially for church on Sundays. He will be remembered as a good family man who enjoyed kids, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include seven children, Gary (Sue) Kuefler of St. Joseph, Nancy (Ken) Rausch of Prior Lake, Leon (Joan) Kuefler of Elrosa, Mark (Karen) Kuefler of Belgrade, Karen (Craig) Deadrick of Clear Lake, Dale (Paula Erie) Kuefler of St. Cloud, and Wayne Kuefler of Elrosa; 14 grandchildren, Tracy (Brian), Brent, and Derek Rausch, John (Kim), Emily (Andy), Kevin, and James Kuefler, Perry (Danielle), Preston (Ashley), and Shyan (Michael) Kuefler, and Jordan (Lindsey), Bryan, Kelli (Brad) Deadrick, and Cole Kuefler; three great-grandsons, Noah and Landon Kuefler and Maxwell McDowell; three great-granddaughters, Dakota Hadley, Sagelee Barling, and Leanne Kuefler; and two great-grandchildren on the way; sister, Anna Marie (Sylvester) Nietfeld of Meire Grove.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernice Kuefler on June 7, 2012; daughter-in-law, DeNile Kuefler; brothers, Edwin, Richard, and Walter Kuefler; sisters, Clara Galvin, Agnes Seger, Margaret Kampsen, Eleanore Acker, Alma Henderson, Theresa Kuefler, and Regina Kulzer.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jordan Deadrick, Bryan Deadrick, Perry Kuefler, Kevin Kuefler, John Kuefler, Brent Rausch, and Derek Rausch. Cross bearer will be James Kuefler and scripture bearer will be Preston Kuefler. Serving as gift bearers will be Shyan Kuefler and Kelli Deadrick. Readers will be Emily Hadley and Sue Kuefler.