Joseph Robert Stein

JOSEPH ROBERT STEIN

August 15, 1935 – December 15, 2018

                Joseph Robert Stein, Jr., a long time Park Rapids, MN area resident, peacefully passed into eternal glory on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the Methodist Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, MN with his loved ones at his side.

                Joe was born on August 15, 1935 in Milwaukee, WI to Joseph and Lillian (Berech) Stein.  He attended public school in Milwaukee, graduating from the North Division High School with the Class of 1953.  He then went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.   Joe entered the United States Army where he proudly served his country until receiving his honorable discharge.  He was united in marriage to Barbara Korniek and they were blessed with three sons: Gregory, Thomas and Andrew.  It was in the Milwaukee area that Joe served as a public school teacher and later as a principal.  Later in his life, Joe worked in sales for the Transpack Company of Milwaukee where he was responsible for negotiating government contracts.  Joe’s life was made complete by his marriage to his wife and soulmate, Corinne Ann Zeller on November 21, 1993 in Port Charlotte, FL.  He was an avid sports enthusiast who enjoyed playing baseball and was also an excellent golfer, a game he enjoyed playing his entire life.  He actively watched professional sports and was always a loyal Green Bay Packers fan.  He enjoyed waging bets with his step-sons whenever his Packers played the Vikings.  Joe sincerely enjoyed people.  He was an excellent bridge player.  Joe was also gifted musically and enjoyed singing Karaoke.  He looked forward to playing cards with his friends at the Senior Citizens Center where he was very active and had served as its President.  He was a long time member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 in Park Rapids.  Joe’s faith in Christ was very important to him.  He was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids.  Above all, Joe loved being a husband, a father and a grandfather.  He treasured the times he could spend with his family.

                He will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife, Corinne of Park Rapids; his three sons: Gregory Stein of Port Charlotte, FL.,  Thomas Stein of Chicago, IL and Andrew (Merry) Stein of Milwaukee, WI; his two step-sons: Jeff (Pat) Zeller and Rick (Audrey) Zeller all of Park Rapids; his seven dearly loved grandchildren: Ryan and Josh Stein, Jenna (Curt) Zeller of Bemidji, Jessica (Adam) Pogatschnik of Avon, MN, Kallie Zeller of Park Rapids, Amy (Tony) Petrie of Bemidji, MN and Kari (Simon) DeBlieck of Alexandria, MN; his eight precious great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Stein of Fort Meyers, FL and one sister, Carol Stein of Milwaukee, WI; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. 

                Joe was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Phil.

                Memorial services will be held 11 AM Saturday, January 5, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. James Neubauer and Rev. Joel Newton officiating.  Michael Poole will sing, “The Lord’s Prayer” and Kari DeBlieck will sing "How Great Thou Art".  The urn bearers will be: Andrew Stein, Jeff Zeller and Rick Zeller.  Interment will be made in the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, WI at 1 PM Wednesday, January 16, 2019.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Following the service the St. Johns Church family will host a lunch for all.

To leave online condolences or to view the tribute video please visit www.jonespearson.com