Joseph W. Knoblauch

Knoblauch, Joseph W. Age 86, of Excelsior, previously of Hopkins, died on October 14, 2013. Joe was born on November 21, 1926 in St. Paul, MN to Marcellus and Justine Knoblauch. He graduated from St. Paul Murray High School where he excelled in basket- ball and football. Joe graduated from the University of Minnesota and was a proud member of the U of M basketball team. He enlisted in the Navy and was trained to be a signalman. Joe married Margie Jacobson on Dec. 20, 1948. Together they raised six children. Joe taught math and social studies at South Junior High School in Hopkins. He also was a coach, counselor, assistant principal, and principal at South Junior High. He finished his 32 years in education as principal of Hopkins Eisenhower High School. Joe enjoyed coaching basketball and football, and was delighted to connect with former students everywhere he went. Joe was an entrepreneur and had many business ventures from owning tree farms to investing in The Hopkins House and Breezy Point Resort near Pequot Lakes, MN. Joe instilled in his children a deep appreciation of family and their heritage, and a love of nature and the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, duck and deer hunting in Ortonville, MN, and winters with Margie on Sanibel Island. Joe was an amazing storyteller, always engaging with whomever he met and then making life-long friends. Preceded in death by his parents; son, Daniel; wife of 64 years, Margie; brother, Harry Knoblauch; sister-in-law, Priscilla Knoblauch; brother-in-law, Thomas Felion. Joe will forever be in the hearts of his children. Kathy (Terry Ische), Bill (Patty), LuAnne (Dan Danko), Mary (Martin Carlson), and John (Sharon); sister, Kathryn Felion; sister-in-law, Janet Reed; brother-in-law, Porter Reed; daughter-in-law, Janet Knoblauch; grandchildren, Nathan and Daniel Ische-Knoblauch, Maria (Pete) Anderson, Anna (Phil) Bromeland, Aileen (Justin) Charron; Isaac Carlson, Joseph, David, and Sarah Knoblauch; great-grandsons, Jake and Alex Bromeland, Carter Anderson, and Lomas Charron; and many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Special thanks to the caring staff at Fairview Southdale Hospital. Visitation will be held on Friday 4-7 PM at Washburn-McReavy Strobeck Johnson Chapel, 1400 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 11:00 AM with visitation one hour before at St. Hubert's Catholic Church, 8201 Main St., Chanhassen, MN. Memorials preferred to Ducks Unlimited or the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.