Joseph Isakson

1931 - 2017

Joseph Isakson

Sioux Falls - Joseph L. Isakson, 86, of Sioux Falls, SD, died Monday, December 18, 2017. Visiting hours with family present will be Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 pm at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Ave, Sioux Falls. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, December 22, in First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls. A graveside committal service will be at 2:30 pm Friday at Ebenezer Lutheran Cemetery, Harrison, SD, following the funeral reception.

Joseph was born in a farmhouse in Douglas County, SD, on September 16, 1931, to John and Helen (Vevik) Isakson. His parents emigrated from near Trondheim, Norway as young adults. Joe attended rural Walnut Grove School and graduated from Augustana Academy in Canton.

In 1952, Joe began his 39 year career in the U.S. Navy and Army, serving on active duty and in Reserve capacity. His overseas assignments included the Western Pacific and Germany. He retired from the Army in 1991.

In 1959, Joe graduated from SDSU with a degree in Agricultural Journalism. He served as assistant editor with the North Dakota State Extension Services and as a staff writer and farm editor of The Forum newspaper in Fargo. In 1973, he became editor of the Dakota Farmer magazine in Aberdeen and later served as Dakota editor of The Farmer magazine of St. Paul, MN. He was active in several national and international journalism associations. After retiring, he worked for the Census Bureau into his eighties.

Joe married Margaret Silber on August 12, 1955, in San Francisco, CA. To them 3 daughters and 1 son were born, Karen (Buck) Deines, Salem, OR; Elaine (Suzette) Isakson, Rockland, ME; Kathleen (Mark) Sheets, Rapid City, SD, and Paul (Tho) Isakson, Washington, D.C. On April 16, 1986, he married Arliss Alberts. In addition to his children, he leaves 6 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and his friend Roberta Wagner. He was preceded in death by his parents, 8 brothers and 7 sisters.

One of Joe's pleasures was singing and the camaraderie it afforded. He was a long-time member of the Norse Glee Club of Sioux Falls and served on the board of directors of the Sioux Falls Master Singers. Joe belonged to First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls Downtown Lions Club, Gjoa Sons of Norway Lodge and the Minnehaha County Historical Society.

As years passed, Joe developed a greater sense of gratitude for what life dealt him, for God's abundant grace, for his country, his large, wonderful family, his health, education, travel and chances to help the disadvantaged. He loved the state of South Dakota, its rural countryside and sweeping vistas of blue sky, grain and grasses blowing in the wind. He died with a sense of fulfillment in his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice, or to Union Gospel Mission, Family Connection or Gideon's International.

www.millerfh.com