Joseph Florian Weisgerber was born March 21, 1933 along Long Creek, Bromhead, the youngest of nine children. The family moved to the farm home near Englefeld and later to West of Watson. He attended grade school in Watson, high school was at St. Peters College in Muenster where he was a star hockey player on the school team. Joe told many stories of his enjoyable school days in Muenster. Always an avid sportsman, he played baseball on a senior league team. Joe also did some boxing and hockey playing when he moved to Weyburn as well. Joe was a member of the committee instrumental in the bringing the SJHL team the Red Wings to Weyburn in 1961. Joe graduated as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse at Weyburn Hospital in 1956. In September of 1957 he married Doreen Hoeving. He built a home on Birch Drive where they welcomed their first two children Kenneth and Karen (Michael would arrive later after their move to Texas). In 1963, after living for a year in Florida, the family settled in Irving, Texas. During the following 20 years Joe nursed at Brookhaven and Parkland in Dallas. The Irish Texans band was formed by Joe and Pat Macarthy - a buddy from Weyburn Hospital days. Several more friends joined the band, many from the health care field and the NFL pub was lucky to have the Irish Texans as the house band for 14 years until it closed its doors. The Irish Texans made three trips to Ireland where they performed and travelled together, the catch phrase being "Where's Joe," as he was usually lagging behind having found yet another interesting person to chat with. These band members remained lifelong friends and played once a year right up until St. Patrick's Day of this year ... last in Alamo, Texas. In 1981, Joe returned to Weyburn and farmed alongside John Hoeving, continued farming with sons, Kenneth and Mike. Joe continued to farm on his own for some time before retiring. After leaving the farming industry, Joe worked for two years each for Alec Allen at Creelman, Darald Marin at Radville, Tom Minard of Weyburn and Watson Distributors of Weyburn. In 1988, Joe married Rose Iverson (nee Jaworski) who remained his best friend for the next 26 years. They returned to Ireland for their honeymoon. Joe loved attending his Catholic church and lived each day to its fullest. He sang in the church choir and in many musical groups over the years including the Octavius Singers. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 59 years. Joe was an active member of the Liberal Party and ran for Member of Parliament. One of his most fond Liberal moments was singing "You are my Sunshine" with Linda Haverstock. In 2006, Joe and Rose left Staveley Crescent for "The Farm" 25 miles west of Weyburn. They loved living in the country and Joe found many projects to keep him very busy and happy. A major undertaking was hosting the 2011 Forner Family Reunion, with family attending from as far away as Minnesota. Last July, Joe thoroughly enjoyed the family get-together celebrating his 80th birthday, Rose's 75th birthday and their 25th Anniversary. In 2009, Joe and Cyril Marcotte travelled to Joe's parents' homeland in Russia and the Ukraine ... a dream come true for both of them. Joe met in person a cousin of his, a definite highlight of the trip. Attending the "Germans from Russia" convention annually was very important to Joe. His sisters Mary and Kay would join him. He will be at the convention in Spokane in spirit later this month. The past 10 winters have been spent in Alamo, Texas where he and Rose have made many new friends. Joe was a key organizer and host of the musical "Jams" and would sing any chance he could. His latest musical group, the "Spinning Wheels", a duo with Vic Messer, was still very active with frequent gigs in and around Weyburn. The community and the Legion Hall won't be the same without them. Joe lived for this faith, his family and his music. He radiated love. He put his heart and soul into every endeavor, of which there were so very many in his 81 years of life on earth. He touched so many people with his singing. Auntie Irene Marcotte said "Heaven must have needed a soloist" and chose Joe. He never passed a friend on the street or at the mall without stopping to talk. To go to Heaven in his sleep is a beautiful way for a beautiful man to go. We are so blessed to have known you ... we love you Papa Joe. Joe was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary Weisgerber; sisters, Margaret Fritsch, Rose Fritsch, Ann Dietrich and Elizabeth Weisgerber; brother, Constantine Weisgerber; grandson, Brian Kelly Weisgerber and granddaughter, Abigail Marie Tapparo. Joe is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 32 years, Rose Weisgerber; sisters, Catharina Weisgerber, Mary El Yacobi and Matilda (Bernard) Jansen; son, Kenneth (Karen) Weisgerber and their children, Andrea (Brady) Knibbs, Alyssa (Dave) Abstein and Brad Weisgerber; daughter, Karen (Tim) Tapparo and their children, Andy and Ashley Tapparo; son, Mike (Sharilynn) Weisgerber and their children, Brooklyn, Raelyn, Michael and Caralyn Weisgerber; great grandsons, Ethan and Evritt Knibbs, Alex and Logan Abstein; step daughters, Ellen (Jim) Longney, Lori (Shawn) Leibel, Audrey Schrader, Debra (Calvin) Moore. As well his blended family descendants totalling 24 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephew were also very precious to Joe. Prayers were said on Sunday, July 6 at 8:30 pm and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, July 7 at 1:30 pm. Both services were held at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn with Father Gerry Bauche celebrating. Other active participants were cross bearer, Andy Tapparo and scripture readers, Andrea (Weisgerber) Knibbs, Brooklyn Weisgerber and Alyssa (Weisgerber) Abstein. Interment took place at Green Acres Memorial Gardens. Active Pallbearers were Brad Weisgerber, Aaron Iverson, Jesse Moore, David Klein, Michael Weisgerber and Daylon Schrader. Honourary Pallbearers were all those who attended the service. Donations in memory of Joe may be made to the Radville and District Health Centre Foundation Inc. at Box 310, Radville, SK S0C 2G0. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, 306-842-5432.
