Joel Berlin

Joel Albert Berlin was born May 12, 1914, on the family farm near St. James, the son of Albert and Ester (Jonsson) Berlin. Joel attended country school District 8 and later the U of M Ag school. Joel worked at the LaSalle Creamery for 2 years and then with DHIA until he was drafted into the Army. While in the Army, he married Evelyn Olson on January 4, 1942 in Lawton, OK. He returned to farming once he was discharged from the military. In 1960, Joel went to work for S-T Industries where he worked until retiring in 1979. Joel married Avis Hesse on January 27, 2000. Joel served on the Board at East Sveadahl Lutheran Church and took church bulletins to residents at Pleasant View every Sunday after church for many years. He was a Life Member and past Commander of American Legion Post 33 in St. James. He also served as Justice of Peace in St. James. In retirement he enjoyed trimming bushes, hedges and trees around town and Pleasant View. He also enjoyed watching and listening to the Minnesota Twins. He loved to read and listen to tapes of the Bible. Discussions about the Bible could last for hours with family and friends. Joel is survived by his children; Clair (Kaydra) Berlin of rural Butterfield, Clinton (Ella) Berlin of Roy, UT, Leighton (Sue) Berlin of Huron, SD, step-children; David (Pat) Hesse of rural Comfrey, Brian (Marilynn) Hesse of Florida, Scott Hesse of St. James, 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, sisters; Margaret Anderson of Springfield, and Marian Stradtman of Glenwood. He is preceded in death by his first wife Evelyn in 1998, second wife Avis in 2006, parents, infant brother, sister, Ruth Sletta, brothers-in-law, Arnold Sletta, Vernon Anderson and James Stradtman. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Hosanna Free Lutheran Church, St. James and Good Samaritan Society, St. James. First Visitation 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Sunday, September 22, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 9:00 am - 10:00 am Monday, September 23, 2013 Hosanna Free Lutheran Church- St. James 1176 11th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:00 am Monday, September 23, 2013 Hosanna Free Lutheran Church- St. James 1176 11th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information East Sveadahl Lutheran Cemetery 30187 710th ave. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081