"It\'s been a year since you left us and all I can say is there isn\'t a day that has passed that we haven\'t thought of you. You were an integral part of our team and have been sorely missed. May God Bless you Joe!!! "
In loving memory of
Joseph Krage
August 18, 1959 - August 4, 2020
HOUSTON, MN - Joseph W. "Joe" Krage, 60, of Houston, MN died on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family following a brief, courageous battle with cancer.
Joseph William Krage was born in Winona, MN on August 18, 1959, to Thomas and Bernadette (Corcoran) Krage. He grew up in Corey Valley of Winona County, MN. He was a 1978 graduate of Houston High School. He graduated with an accounting degree from Winona State University and a Master's Degree in business administration from St. Mary's University in Winona. Joe married Nancy Starzecki. They were later divorced. He worked as an accountant and a CFO at many area manufacturing businesses in Winona, Rushford and at his favorite job, Miken Sports in Caledonia, where he was one of the company's first employees. Joe was a very civic minded person. He was on the Rushford Fire Department for 8 years, the Houston Fire Department for 20 years of which he was chief for eight years until his retirement from the department last year. He was also on the Houston City Council, the church board at Looney Valley Lutheran Church, The Houston School Board, the Houston Mat Club and many numerous other organizations. When asked to help, Joe could never say no.
He is survived by his mother, Bernadette; wife, Laura; seven children: Becky of New York, NY, Andy (Emily) Krage of Houston, Rachel (Joel Griffis) Scanlan of Tomah, WI, Bailey (Eric Radsek) Scanlan of Houston, Brandy Scanlan of Missouri, Ariel Scanlan of Houston, and Riley Krage of Houston; one grandchild, Jackson Griffis; siblings: Daniel (Sara) Krage of Houston, Lisa (Ted) TerBeest of La Crescent, Minn., Brian (Dawn) Krage of Houston , Kathleen (Jim) Nygaard of Faribault, Minn., Steve (Colleen Wieser) Krage of Houston, Kristi (Brent) Soland of Rochester, Minn. and Mark (Valerie Lidtke) Krage of Houston; and by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and a sister-in-law, Carrie (Ask) Krage.
There will be a private family service for the immediate family only at Looney Valley Lutheran Church in rural Houston at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2020. Only the family is allowed to attend the service in the church due to COVID restrictions. The family would like to invite friends to listen to the service on the East patio of the church or view the service online. The service will be live streamed through the Looney Valley Lutheran Church Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/looneyvalleylutheran/
There will be a drive thru visitation on Friday, August 7, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Houston Fire Hall (110 Westgate Drive). We would ask that people drive from old highway 16, south of the fire hall down Westgate Drive to attend the visitation.
Burial will be at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Ridgeway at a later date.
The family prefers memorials be directed to the future Joe Krage memorial scholarship fund. Because the fund has not yet been set up, please make checks payable to his wife, Laura Krage. Hoff Funeral Home- Houston is assisting Joe's family with arrangements.
Tributes
"Joe, so sad you left us at such an early age. You truly became a remarkable man. I still remember you playing linebacker for me many years ago. You were a very dedicated, positive, hard working young man, So coachable. I, like most coaches, want our players to continue through life as successful role models. You clearly accomplished a level very high and I am so proud of all your successes. You Joe, are a symbol of the achievements we all would wish to attain. I have fond memories of our visits, where you had enthusiastic support of Hurricane sports. The good lord must have decided he needed another \" team \" player! "
"I just can?t find exactly the right words... I send my deepest condolences to the family ... I?m sorry for your loss... I love you... But every time I type something and tears run down my face these last five days I see him in the corner of my eye saying, ?can?t run away now... sucks for you, now I can see everything you do, so make life count?. Joe Krage is absolutely everything everyone is saying.... only behind all those horrible jokes, feel good memories and his tough love when it came to sports I have to say I am thankful he used to get mad at Becky and I for wearing too much makeup; because right now I don?t have to wipe mascara off my face... So, until I find the right worlds if there is any, I simply have to say that when all said and done Joe was actually all heart, the greatest pick me up; I like to call that dad. He raised what I believe to be the PERFECT daughter Becky. So, I am honored to have had a ?second dad? who gave me hope in life. (Joe Krage was the greatest, Thank you for everything Joe). .... Love you Becky, Andy and condolences to all those hearts he has touched"
"It was a pleasure to know you and work with you. You will surely be missed. From all of us a Lawrence Transportation RIP Louie"
"Joe was a good friend and a super classmate. Always screwing around to get the rest of us in trouble. He always made us laugh.Our sympathies to the family. God rest your soul friend. "
"Our deepest condolences to the loss of your son, brother, dad or spouse. Joe was a great man and did so much for his community. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Krage family in your time of sorrow. Joe and Amy Corcoran "
"Our deepest sympathies to the family of Joe. May the Lord provide comfort to you during this difficult time. Kathy & Danny Todd"
"Bless you Joe you were an example for all of us! Prayers and peace for all who loved you????"
"Sure sorry to hear about Joe. I enjoyed working with him at Winnebago Software Co. May he RIP!!"
"Sorry for your loss. I could always count on Joe, especially when I needed a good laugh. I can?t remember a time that he didn?t cheer me up!"
"Our deepest sympathy to the family."
"Words cannot express how sorry we are for your family at this time. I do know God can give you peace through all of this. Praying for peace and comfort now and the days ahead. Thinking of you all. Love the Tipperys"
"My thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathy go out to both the Krage and Snow families. May you all find comfort in your good memories of Joe and use them to get you through this very difficult time. So sorry for your loss!"
"taken way too soon."
"Our deepest sympathy to Laura, their children and the rest of Joe\'s family."
"Our deepest sympathy to Joe?s family. Rick has known Joe for a very long time. We will miss his great laugh. - Kim & Rick"
"Your laugh, the jokes, the stories, all our talks. Not just a co-worker, but a friend. You will be missed. Peggy Davis"
"Our condolences to Laura,kids and the Krage family. Such a great guy! "
"Bernie and Families, may the Peace of the Lord and the many thoughts and Prayers from everyone be there to comfort you all at this time, Rest in Peace Joe. Arvid & Kay Nelson"
"Joe and I played coronet together in Mr. DuRocher?s band. Other kids had trumpets, we had old hand me down coronets. Us coronet players stuck together. My condolences to Joe?s Family. Bernie Paulson."
"So very saddened by the loss of a coworker who became a good friend. Joe would help you with anything and always had the greatest stories. I\'ve been truly blessed to have known you. Fly high Joe. "
"My deepest sympathies for the Family. Joe was truly a one in a million. He always had a way to bring out the best in everyone around him. I\'m honored to have been able to be his friend. Rest in Peace my Friend and may God Bless and Comfort the Family and Friends you left behind."
"My deepest sympathies for the Family. Joe was truly a one in a million. He always had a way to bring out the best in everyone around him. I\'m honored to have been able to be his friend. Rest in Peace my Friend and may God Bless and Comfort the Family and Friends you left behind."
"My deepest sympathy to Laura and to the rest of the Krage and Snow families. Joe was a one in a million guy! His passing is a tragic loss to all who knows him. May the Lord hold Joe in his loving arms as he enters the Kingdom, and may our Heavenly Father comfort those left behind! Gone too soon."
"We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Joe was a great neighbor for so many years and we are thinking of him and his family. He will be greatly missed."
"Rest In Peace ???"
"I am so very sorry to hear about Joe. Prayers and hugs to the entire Krage family."
"My sincerest of condolences to Joe\'s family. I am at a loss hearing of Joe\'s passing. I just have so many memories of Joe and others during high school hours and then misc. functions / hooking up with friends. I remember that smile, that grin and that laugh of yours Joe. I am so sorry this has happened to you, may you rest in peace as you smile upon your loved ones."
"My deepest sympathy to his entire family. I will miss his smile. I don\'t ever remember seeing him not smiling. "
"My deepest condolences to the entire Krage, Snow family. Many prayers...?"
"Joe was such a great man. Every time I saw him he would never let me live down missing that catch at the 4H play day many years ago that lost us the game. Joe you will be missed and when I ever play ball again I will try to catch all those fly balls for you. "
"I will forever think of Joe when I hear a mention or sight of Harry Potter. I so enjoyed your wit and humor. Prayers to Laura and family. Rest in peace Joe, you were a great one ?Amy (and Andy) Halvorson "
"Sorry to hear...Joe was always full jokes and humor!"