Joseph (Joe) Harry Krall Jr., 78, of International Falls, Minn., surrounded by his three children, peacefully went to be with his beloved wife Kaye, on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Joe resided the last 2 1/2 years at the Littlefork nursing home where he was treated with exceptional care and as family. Joe’s family is so appreciative of the staff and caregiver’s efforts and true compassion shown to him.
Joe was born April 27, 1940, to Joe Sr. and Irene (Hopper) Krall in Virginia, Minn.
The family lived in Ely, Minn., then moved to International Falls when Joe was 4 years old and he resided in the Falls the remainder of his life.
He graduated from Falls High School in 1958.
“Joey”, (as mom referred to him by unless she was really serious, then it was “Joseph Harry”) married the love of his life, Kaye Kalar on June 9, 1962, and had three children — Brian, Lisa and Jeff.
Joe was the provider for the family and in the early years worked as many as three different jobs during the same time period.
He was hired on at the paper mill in 1960 and would remain there until his retirement in 2002. He was a proud union member and moved around to different areas within the mill, such as the wood room (Local 33), kraft mill, bleach plant and in 1974 became journeyman pipefitter and welder and later, licensed steamfitter and belonged to Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 771 and later Local 589.
He was also a self-taught guitarist and bassist in a local band “The Variety Pak” for almost 20 years playing for weddings, anniversaries and many local clubs in northern Minnesota and across the border in Canada. He belonged to Musician’s Local 156 and had great passion for music.
Joe’s family was his main priority in life and he did whatever it took to ensure his kids and wife were provided for and taken care of.
He adored his wife, Kaye, for all of their wonderful 55-plus years together and provided so many laughs to family and friends throughout his life.
Whether it be taking a rather large bump at a high rate of speed with youngest son Jeff on the back of his snowmobile and not realizing Jeff flew off the back of the sled, continuing to drive away leaving Jeff laying in a snow bank until oldest son Brian picked him up 15 minutes later; or, when stopped on a gravel road out in the woods to check on a tire with the rest of the family only to get back in the truck to drive away while (AGAIN, Jeff) only had one leg in the truck and had to hop along with the truck until mom yelled “JOEY!”; to when Brian hid behind the garbage cans next to the garage one night to jump out and startle dad coming home from a late night only to find himself dodging dad’s left hooks until he realized who it was... dad loved to clown and joke around constantly.
Joe absolutely loved the outdoors. Growing up the son of a game warden, he had such a passion for hunting, fishing, ice fishing and camping and loved spending time at the hunting shack.
He loved his toys... snowmobiles, three-wheelers, four-wheelers and boats and passed all of that passion on to his sons, Brian and Jeff.
He adored and cherished his daughter, Lisa, and was very protective and supportive of her.
He always looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He dearly will be remembered and missed by everyone that got to share in a part of his wonderful life.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Sr. and Irene Krall; father and mother-in-law, Albert and Elnora Kalar; sister, Cozette Manders-Albright; and dearly loved wife, Kaye.
He is survived by sons, Brian, of International Falls, and Jeff, of Plymouth, Minn.; daughter, Lisa (Mark) Johnson, of International Falls; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, at Zion Lutheran Church, International Falls.
The family prefers memorials to The Alzheimer’s Association of MN/ND.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements were with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
