Joel H. Erie

Joel Howard Erie, 72, Welch, died Wednesday at Fairview University Hospital, Minneapolis, Minn. He was born August 30, 1934 in Red Wing, the son of Jens Orvil and Olava (Finne) Erie. He attended school in White Rock and Red Wing. He enlisted in the Air Force on September 12, 1951 and served in the Korean War. He married Joyce Marie Keeler on March 19, 1955 while in the Air Force, in Rantoul, Ill. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 15, 1955. They moved to Red Wing in 1956. He worked as a mason until 2002 and then worked at Treasure Island Casino as an EVS Trainer until he became ill in May of this year. .Joyce died January 19, 1997. A member of Red Men Club, he enjoyed fishing and camping on the Cannon River and being with his family.

Survivors include three children: Terry (Tim) Massie of Las Vegas, NV, Timothy Erie of Miesville and Tammy (Randall) Clemens of Welch; four granddaughters; one grandson; two great-grandchildren: thee sisters: Oretta Nelson and Ione (John) Irvin, both of Red Wing and Sylvia Flom of Cannon Falls; two brothers, Louie and Sanford Erie, both of Red Wing; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; daughter-in-law, Judy (Gerdes) Erie; three brothers: Kenneth, James and Raymond Erie; two sisters: Maime Martinson and Agnes "Bobbi" McCusker.

Memorial service will be 11 a. m. Tuesday at Vasa Lutheran Church with Reverend Michael Dobbins officiating. Burial will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom and Stuart Flom, Randy Nelson, Wayne Irvin, Andy, Jon, Louis and Gregory Erie. Visitation will be 5-8 Monday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the church.