Joseph Richard Tourte

Joseph Richard Tourte, 16, passed to his heavenly home on January 22, 2012 at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 26, at Ankeny Funeral Home (1510 W. 1st St., Ankeny). Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 27, 2012 at Ankeny First United Methodist Church (206 SW Walnut St., Ankeny).

Joe was born April 27, 1995 to Ronald and Libby Tourte in Des Moines. He was a 10th grader at Ankeny High School and was known for his big smile and kind heart. Joe enjoyed movies, his IPad and spending time with his dog, Odie. His friends from Ankeny High School and the community supported him through “A Heart For Joe”.

Those left to cherish his memory are his parents, Ronald and Libby Tourte and sister, Sara Tourte of Ankeny, IA; paternal grandparents, Jerry and Loretta Tourte of Paton, IA; maternal grandparents, Richard and Kathleen Blachford of Newaygo, MI; great-grandmother, Elizabeth Haberling of Miller, SD; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his cousin, Ashley Marie Lebeck.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ankeny Community School (C/O Joe Tourte) or Childserve.