Joel Hultgren

Joel Merlyn Hultgren, age 82, of Saint James, died on August 27, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 1, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James and will continue Monday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saint James. Funeral service will be held at Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saint James on Monday, September 2, 2024, at 11:00 am. The clergy will be the reverend Jacob Schlomer. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Saint James. The family prefers memorials be given to Saint James District 840 Foundation or donor's choice.

Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Joel was born February 22, 1942, to Arnold and Bernice (Quade) Hultgren in Saint James. He was baptized March 25, 1942, and confirmed on June 9, 1957, at Augustana Lutheran Church. He graduated from Saint James High School class of 1960.  Joel served in the US Army from October of 1963 until October of 1965.  On April 26, 1969, Joel married Laurel Eineke, and together they raised three children.

Joel worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a city letter carrier for 36 years, before retiring in 2001. In his younger years Joel spent many nights with friends playing basketball at the Godahl Rec Center.  Joe enjoyed watching all Minnesota Sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed traveling with friends and family to Florida, Branson, and Door County, Wisconsin, attending concerts with his wife, and politics.  For years he was the neighborhood caretaker, always willing to help with lawn mowing and snow blowing. He enjoyed his daily stops at Schmidt’s Bakery to chat with the workers. Above all, Joe loved spending time with his family. His wife Laurel, children and grandchildren were his whole world. He loved attending all of his children’s and grandchildren’s activities and was always their number one fan.

Joel is survived by his wife of 55 years, Laurel; son, James (Angela) of Lakeville, Minnesota; daughters, Kristin (Ronnie) Aden of Saint James and Jenna (Michael) Klepatz of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren, McKenna, Payton, and Tyler Hultgren, Alex and Adisyn Aden, and Kellan and Kinley Klepatz; step grandchildren, Kelsey (Travis) Titus and Miranda (Jeffrey) Pape; step great-grandchildren, Moses Titus and Finley and Jayce Pape; brother, John (Glenys) Hultgren; brother-in-law, Thomas Lind; and several nieces and nephews.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Lind; grandson, Riley Aden; and nephew, Jeffrey Lind.