Joseph Frederick Kutcher

of Arden Hills, Minnesota. Joseph "Joe" Frederick Kutcher, 96, passed away at sunrise on Thursday, August 4, 2011, while in the loving care of family and staff at the Presbyterian Homes in Arden Hills, Minnesota. Joseph was a long-time resident of Lakewood, Colorado; Bloomington, Minnesota; Rapid City, South Dakota and Madison, South Dakota. Joe was born on October 26, 1914 in Madison, South Dakota to John Kutcher and Sophia (Schrepel) Kutcher. After high school, he attended the former State Teachers College in Madison and later completed his Bachelor's degree in journalism at the University of South Dakota. After college, Joe worked at the local newspaper in Madison, South Dakota where he met his future bride, Eileen Cecilia Nelles. He then worked for Cargill in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1942, Joe joined the U.S. Army and served in Hawaii and on Iwo Jima during World War II. Upon his return, Joe married Eileen on August 16, 1945 and they made their home in Madison. Through the years, Joe's work took them through Kennebec (A.C. Miller, former Lt. Governor of South Dakota), Spearfish (journalist) and Rapid City, South Dakota (Burnell Hendricksen, Pennington Title Co.). Joe then worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Rapid City and Devils Lake, North Dakota) acquiring land for the nuclear missile silos in the Dakotas. In 1966, he became a Land Specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Fort Snelling (Twin Cities), Minnesota. In 1973, he transferred to Lakewood (Denver), Colorado until his retirement in 1980. Joe was an avid sports fan with a particular fondness for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He was also a master of crossword puzzles with a vocabulary to match. Those who knew him well enjoyed his dry sense of humor and his clever way with words. Whether he was building furniture for his young children or working in the yard until he was 90, Joe was always one to stay busy. Joe was a 35-year member of Christ on the Mountain Catholic Parish in Lakewood, Colorado. Joe and Eileen thoroughly enjoyed their friends and neighbors during their time in Lakewood. They also shared a love of music, especially Dixieland jazz. Joe is survived by his children Kathleen Stechmann of Shoreview, Minnesota; Jo Linda (Thomas) Fleming of Seattle, Washington; Mary Salisbury of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Steven Kutcher of Denver, Colorado; Gregory (Maura Randall) Kutcher of North Mankato, Minnesota; Louise (John) Eise of Kansas City, Missouri; and his sister-in-law Lee Nelles Leonhardy of Washington, D.C. He is also survived by his grandchildren, of whom he was so proud: David Stechmann; Ryan (Caroline), Andrew, Erin and Matthew (Sheena) Fleming; Nicole, Anthony and Analise Kutcher; Leah (Bob), Sarah and Margaret Kutcher; Justin, Jessica and Laura Eise; and great-grandchildren Peter and Evan Fleming. Joe was preceded in death by Eileen Cecilia Nelles-Kutcher, his beloved wife of nearly 66 years, as well as his parents; sister Margaret Kutcher; son Peter John Kutcher; brothers-in-law Thomas Nelles, Robert Nelles, and Terrance Leonhardy; sister-in-law Eileen Nelles; and sons-in-law David Salisbury and Eric Stechmann. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 27th (gathering begins at 10AM) at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL, 515 Hwy 96 W at Mackubin, Shoreview, MN. Burial will follow at a later date in Madison, South Dakota. Memorial contributions to a charity of your choice or to the Presbyterian Homes Foundation, 2845 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113. Please send condolences for the family to Louise Eise, 13315 Timber Park Dr., Platte City, MO 64079.

Tributes

Joseph Frederick Kutcher

October 26, 1914 - August 4, 2011

Tributes

Joseph Frederick Kutcher

October 26, 1914 - August 4, 2011

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