J. A. "Joe" Josefson, 92, Fergus Falls, MN
1915 - 2007
J. A. "Joe" Josefson, 92, Fergus Falls, died Monday, May 28, 2007, at his home at Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls.
He was born March 5, 1915, to Johann and Gudny (Hofteig) Josefson on the family farm (Hognastadir) in Westerheim Township near Minneota. He was baptized and confirmed (in Icelandic) at the Westerheim Icelandic Lutheran Church. He attended School District 80 and in 1932 graduated with honors from Minneota High School. The faculty chose him as the male graduate most likely to succeed.
His father, then age 70, asked him to forego college and stay to help on the farm when he graduated from high school. Joe agreed to stay. In 1932, in the depth of the Great Depression, his father turned over the cash on hand of $15 to Joe, age 17, and he took over the farm's operation. It was a diversified grain and livestock operation with dairy and beef cattle, chickens, hogs and sheep.
At the age of 21, Joe was elected township chairman of the committee to administer the federal farm program. He was re-elected annually for 11 years after which he was elected to the Lyon County Committee and served for seven years there — the last four as chairman of the Lyon County Committee. During these years, the county committeemen were the active administrators of the farm program.
In 1954, he resigned from the County Committee to seek the office of State Senator. The people were kind and kept him in that office for 22 years where he was able to promote much good legislation.
The best was the amendment that greatly improved the investment policy of the state's trust funds — the earnings of which are dedicated to the support of public schools.
The effect of this legislation has brought millions of dollars of benefit to the people of the state.
Sen. Josefson was one of the prime movers in the establishment of rural institutions of higher learning such as the vocational schools at Canby, Granite Falls and Pipestone and he was honored as a founder of Southwest Minnesota State University.
Joe served as secretary-treasurer of the Westerheim Cemetery Association for 49 years and for 24 years was on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Elevator.
He was a life member of the Lyon County Historical Society and of the Society for the Preservation of Minneota's Heritage. He served 10 years as secretary-treasurer of the Westerheim Township Farm Bureau Unit, held church offices and filled many other positions of public trust.
On April 6, 1950, he was united in marriage to Gladys Coover at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. They lived and farmed the family farm in Westerheim Township for 13 years after which they lived in Minneota until October 1993 when they moved to Fergus Falls to live near their only child, Lois, and her family. For 20 years after leaving the farm, Joe was a licensed investment representative.
Joe was an active member and past master of the Minneota Equality Lodge 238 of the Masonic Order, which he joined in 1943. He transferred his membership to Cornerstone Lodge 99 of Fergus Falls when moving there. He was a past patron of Myota Chapter 220 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a life member of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and Commandery 28 of Marshall as well as Zuhrah Temple of the Shrine of Minneapolis. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.
Joe was a past president of the Minneota Rotary Club and was a member of the Fergus Falls Noon Rotary Club where he and Gladys were both Paul Harris Fellows.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Leifur Josefson; four sisters: Thordis Lindall, Isfold Olafson, Johanna Josefson and Helga Barr; and by his wife, Gladys.
Memorials in Joe's honor would be welcomed by the Josefson Family Foundation, Augustana Lutheran Church Building Fund, Fergus Area College Foundation or Dollars for Scholars.
Visitation: Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls.
Memorial observances: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minneota.
Burial: July 29 at Westerheim Lutheran Cemetery, Minneota
Funeral home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
1915 - 2007
J. A. "Joe" Josefson, 92, Fergus Falls, died Monday, May 28, 2007, at his home at Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls.
He was born March 5, 1915, to Johann and Gudny (Hofteig) Josefson on the family farm (Hognastadir) in Westerheim Township near Minneota. He was baptized and confirmed (in Icelandic) at the Westerheim Icelandic Lutheran Church. He attended School District 80 and in 1932 graduated with honors from Minneota High School. The faculty chose him as the male graduate most likely to succeed.
His father, then age 70, asked him to forego college and stay to help on the farm when he graduated from high school. Joe agreed to stay. In 1932, in the depth of the Great Depression, his father turned over the cash on hand of $15 to Joe, age 17, and he took over the farm's operation. It was a diversified grain and livestock operation with dairy and beef cattle, chickens, hogs and sheep.
At the age of 21, Joe was elected township chairman of the committee to administer the federal farm program. He was re-elected annually for 11 years after which he was elected to the Lyon County Committee and served for seven years there — the last four as chairman of the Lyon County Committee. During these years, the county committeemen were the active administrators of the farm program.
In 1954, he resigned from the County Committee to seek the office of State Senator. The people were kind and kept him in that office for 22 years where he was able to promote much good legislation.
The best was the amendment that greatly improved the investment policy of the state's trust funds — the earnings of which are dedicated to the support of public schools.
The effect of this legislation has brought millions of dollars of benefit to the people of the state.
Sen. Josefson was one of the prime movers in the establishment of rural institutions of higher learning such as the vocational schools at Canby, Granite Falls and Pipestone and he was honored as a founder of Southwest Minnesota State University.
Joe served as secretary-treasurer of the Westerheim Cemetery Association for 49 years and for 24 years was on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Elevator.
He was a life member of the Lyon County Historical Society and of the Society for the Preservation of Minneota's Heritage. He served 10 years as secretary-treasurer of the Westerheim Township Farm Bureau Unit, held church offices and filled many other positions of public trust.
On April 6, 1950, he was united in marriage to Gladys Coover at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. They lived and farmed the family farm in Westerheim Township for 13 years after which they lived in Minneota until October 1993 when they moved to Fergus Falls to live near their only child, Lois, and her family. For 20 years after leaving the farm, Joe was a licensed investment representative.
Joe was an active member and past master of the Minneota Equality Lodge 238 of the Masonic Order, which he joined in 1943. He transferred his membership to Cornerstone Lodge 99 of Fergus Falls when moving there. He was a past patron of Myota Chapter 220 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a life member of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and Commandery 28 of Marshall as well as Zuhrah Temple of the Shrine of Minneapolis. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.
Joe was a past president of the Minneota Rotary Club and was a member of the Fergus Falls Noon Rotary Club where he and Gladys were both Paul Harris Fellows.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Leifur Josefson; four sisters: Thordis Lindall, Isfold Olafson, Johanna Josefson and Helga Barr; and by his wife, Gladys.
Memorials in Joe's honor would be welcomed by the Josefson Family Foundation, Augustana Lutheran Church Building Fund, Fergus Area College Foundation or Dollars for Scholars.
Visitation: Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls.
Memorial observances: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minneota.
Burial: July 29 at Westerheim Lutheran Cemetery, Minneota
Funeral home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
J. A. "Joe" Josefson, 92, Fergus Falls, MN
1915 - 2007
J. A. "Joe" Josefson, 92, Fergus Falls, died Monday, May 28, 2007, at his home at Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls.
He was born March 5, 1915, to Johann and Gudny (Hofteig) Josefson on the family farm (Hognastadir) in Westerheim Township near Minneota. He was baptized and confirmed (in Icelandic) at the Westerheim Icelandic Lutheran Church. He attended School District 80 and in 1932 graduated with honors from Minneota High School. The faculty chose him as the male graduate most likely to succeed.
His father, then age 70, asked him to forego college and stay to help on the farm when he graduated from high school. Joe agreed to stay. In 1932, in the depth of the Great Depression, his father turned over the cash on hand of $15 to Joe, age 17, and he took over the farm's operation. It was a diversified grain and livestock operation with dairy and beef cattle, chickens, hogs and sheep.
At the age of 21, Joe was elected township chairman of the committee to administer the federal farm program. He was re-elected annually for 11 years after which he was elected to the Lyon County Committee and served for seven years there — the last four as chairman of the Lyon County Committee. During these years, the county committeemen were the active administrators of the farm program.
In 1954, he resigned from the County Committee to seek the office of State Senator. The people were kind and kept him in that office for 22 years where he was able to promote much good legislation.
The best was the amendment that greatly improved the investment policy of the state's trust funds — the earnings of which are dedicated to the support of public schools.
The effect of this legislation has brought millions of dollars of benefit to the people of the state.
Sen. Josefson was one of the prime movers in the establishment of rural institutions of higher learning such as the vocational schools at Canby, Granite Falls and Pipestone and he was honored as a founder of Southwest Minnesota State University.
Joe served as secretary-treasurer of the Westerheim Cemetery Association for 49 years and for 24 years was on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Elevator.
He was a life member of the Lyon County Historical Society and of the Society for the Preservation of Minneota's Heritage. He served 10 years as secretary-treasurer of the Westerheim Township Farm Bureau Unit, held church offices and filled many other positions of public trust.
On April 6, 1950, he was united in marriage to Gladys Coover at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. They lived and farmed the family farm in Westerheim Township for 13 years after which they lived in Minneota until October 1993 when they moved to Fergus Falls to live near their only child, Lois, and her family. For 20 years after leaving the farm, Joe was a licensed investment representative.
Joe was an active member and past master of the Minneota Equality Lodge 238 of the Masonic Order, which he joined in 1943. He transferred his membership to Cornerstone Lodge 99 of Fergus Falls when moving there. He was a past patron of Myota Chapter 220 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a life member of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and Commandery 28 of Marshall as well as Zuhrah Temple of the Shrine of Minneapolis. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.
Joe was a past president of the Minneota Rotary Club and was a member of the Fergus Falls Noon Rotary Club where he and Gladys were both Paul Harris Fellows.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Leifur Josefson; four sisters: Thordis Lindall, Isfold Olafson, Johanna Josefson and Helga Barr; and by his wife, Gladys.
Memorials in Joe's honor would be welcomed by the Josefson Family Foundation, Augustana Lutheran Church Building Fund, Fergus Area College Foundation or Dollars for Scholars.
Visitation: Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls.
Memorial observances: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minneota.
Burial: July 29 at Westerheim Lutheran Cemetery, Minneota
Funeral home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
1915 - 2007
J. A. "Joe" Josefson, 92, Fergus Falls, died Monday, May 28, 2007, at his home at Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls.
He was born March 5, 1915, to Johann and Gudny (Hofteig) Josefson on the family farm (Hognastadir) in Westerheim Township near Minneota. He was baptized and confirmed (in Icelandic) at the Westerheim Icelandic Lutheran Church. He attended School District 80 and in 1932 graduated with honors from Minneota High School. The faculty chose him as the male graduate most likely to succeed.
His father, then age 70, asked him to forego college and stay to help on the farm when he graduated from high school. Joe agreed to stay. In 1932, in the depth of the Great Depression, his father turned over the cash on hand of $15 to Joe, age 17, and he took over the farm's operation. It was a diversified grain and livestock operation with dairy and beef cattle, chickens, hogs and sheep.
At the age of 21, Joe was elected township chairman of the committee to administer the federal farm program. He was re-elected annually for 11 years after which he was elected to the Lyon County Committee and served for seven years there — the last four as chairman of the Lyon County Committee. During these years, the county committeemen were the active administrators of the farm program.
In 1954, he resigned from the County Committee to seek the office of State Senator. The people were kind and kept him in that office for 22 years where he was able to promote much good legislation.
The best was the amendment that greatly improved the investment policy of the state's trust funds — the earnings of which are dedicated to the support of public schools.
The effect of this legislation has brought millions of dollars of benefit to the people of the state.
Sen. Josefson was one of the prime movers in the establishment of rural institutions of higher learning such as the vocational schools at Canby, Granite Falls and Pipestone and he was honored as a founder of Southwest Minnesota State University.
Joe served as secretary-treasurer of the Westerheim Cemetery Association for 49 years and for 24 years was on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Elevator.
He was a life member of the Lyon County Historical Society and of the Society for the Preservation of Minneota's Heritage. He served 10 years as secretary-treasurer of the Westerheim Township Farm Bureau Unit, held church offices and filled many other positions of public trust.
On April 6, 1950, he was united in marriage to Gladys Coover at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. They lived and farmed the family farm in Westerheim Township for 13 years after which they lived in Minneota until October 1993 when they moved to Fergus Falls to live near their only child, Lois, and her family. For 20 years after leaving the farm, Joe was a licensed investment representative.
Joe was an active member and past master of the Minneota Equality Lodge 238 of the Masonic Order, which he joined in 1943. He transferred his membership to Cornerstone Lodge 99 of Fergus Falls when moving there. He was a past patron of Myota Chapter 220 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a life member of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and Commandery 28 of Marshall as well as Zuhrah Temple of the Shrine of Minneapolis. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.
Joe was a past president of the Minneota Rotary Club and was a member of the Fergus Falls Noon Rotary Club where he and Gladys were both Paul Harris Fellows.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Leifur Josefson; four sisters: Thordis Lindall, Isfold Olafson, Johanna Josefson and Helga Barr; and by his wife, Gladys.
Memorials in Joe's honor would be welcomed by the Josefson Family Foundation, Augustana Lutheran Church Building Fund, Fergus Area College Foundation or Dollars for Scholars.
Visitation: Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls.
Memorial observances: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minneota.
Burial: July 29 at Westerheim Lutheran Cemetery, Minneota
Funeral home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
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