Joseph Salem

Joe passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at Immanuel-St. Joseph Hospital in Mankato, MN. Joe was born January 29, 1929, in Lincoln, Nebraska to Emma and Michael Salem. He attended school in Ness City, Kansas. Joe married Margaret Wynn on December 27, 1952 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Shortly after they moved to Minnesota where they started their family. He worked as an independent truck driver for the majority of his life. After quitting long-distance truck driving in 1985, he started a second business, Salem Distributing. Joe retired in 1998. Joe enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Over the years he maintained close relationships with his many friends via the phone. One of his greatest joys in life was his grandson, Samuel. He loved attending Sam's many baseball games where he was known as Grandpa Joe to most of the players. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and watching professional wrestling. Joe was a member of the Hoover Lodge No. 644, Masonic Lodge in Birmingham, Alabama. Joe is survived by his children Rita (Todd) Koenecke of Pierre, SD; Barbara Salem of Butterfield; Doris (Paul) Kratochvil of Pueblo, CO; Michael Salem of Butterfield; Wayne Salem of Butterfield; grandson Samuel Koenecke of Pierre, SD; sisters Clara Manikis of Tampa, FL; Doris Rohar of Birmingham, AL; Rosie (Claude) Campbell of Lake Wales, FL; sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws Marie (Leland) Lee of Huntsville, AL; Shirley Crocker of Graysville, AL; Sonny (Dorothy) Wynn of Hayden, AL; and many nieces and nephews.