- Date Of Birth: May 6, 1929
- Date Of Death: November 29, 2021
- State: Iowa
Joseph (Joe) Albert Fitzpatrick of Waukee passed away on November 29th, 2021 at MercyOne Medical Center in West Des Moines. Joe was born the third son of Elizabeth (Bess) Hughes Fitzpatrick and Michael Charles Fitzpatrick on May 6th 1929 at the family home on Russell Street in Storm Lake Iowa. The family was later completed by the arrival of a sister.
Joe spent most of his life in Storm Lake and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1947. He was a member of the first all-state choir in the 1940’s. Joe attended Buena Vista College before serving in the Army during the Korean War. He was married during his time in service on August 18, 1951, to Josephine (Jo) Larsen in Omaha, NE. Joe & Jo returned to Storm Lake after his time in service and started a family. They were blessed with five sons: Michael, Paul, Timothy, Mark and Carey.
Joe worked for Hygrade Food Products as a payroll supervisor for many years and finished his working career as the City Clerk for the City of Storm Lake. Prior to being named city clerk Joe served on the City Council of Storm Lake.
Joe was a founding member of the Lake Creek Country Club in the early 1970’s. He was a 50+ year member of the Kiwanis Club in both Storm Lake and the Des Moines area. Joe was active for many years with the SERPACI, an old car club in northwest Iowa. He passed on the “Car Crazy” gene to several of his children and grandchildren.
Joe and Jo retired to West Des Moines in the early 1990’s to be closer to family and later moved to Waukee. During their retirement they continued to follow their children and grandchildren’s activities. Joe was strong in his faith and enjoyed singing in the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus choir for many years.
Joe is survived by his wife Jo of Waukee; sons: Michael (Sue) Fitzpatrick of Urbandale; Paul (Karen) Fitzpatrick of West Des Moines; Timothy Fitzpatrick of Urbandale; Mark (Sue) Fitzpatrick of Des Moines; Carey (Kelley) Fitzpatrick of Bristol, WI; grandchildren: Jennifer (Tyler) Johnston, David (Brianna) Fitzpatrick, Daniel (Katy) Fitzpatrick, Jamie (Shawn) Soetmelk, Patrick (Alyssa) Fitzpatrick, Kelly (Keith) Harding, Erica (Nick) Blocker, Scott (Courtney) Fitzpatrick, Connor Fitzpatrick, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Kim Fitzpatrick, Joe Fitzpatrick, Zack Fitzpatrick, Lucas Fitzpatrick; great grandchildren: Taylor, Austin and Breckyn Maach; Brendan, Dylan and Maddy Fitzpatrick; Avery and Quinn Fitzpatrick; Eric, Savannah and Kaylee Soetmelk; Elena and Riley Fitzpatrick; Jade and Camille Harding; Kiersten, Mackenzie and Coleson Blocker; nieces; nephews; extended family and friends.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Thomas Fitzpatrick and Robert Fitzpatrick; sister, Patricia Barry; brother-in-law, Thomas Barry; sisters-in-law, Naomi Fitzpatrick, Marigene Fitzpatrick, Margaret Halblum, Alice VanBuskirk, and Mary Frohnen; and great-grandchild, Henry Joseph Fitzpatrick
