Joseph John Fiecke Jr.

Joe was born January 20th, 1928; the seventh of eleven children born to Joseph and Anna (Kieser) Fiecke Sr. He was born at home on his parent’s dairy farm in Mayer, Minnesota. He attended Holy Trinity Catholic School in Winsted, Minnesota, through the 8th grade. At that time, he decided that he was done with a formal education and stayed home to help on the farm. He also worked for neighboring farmers until employment with Sterner Brothers in Winsted. On June 5th, 1951 he married Romaine Sterner. Although, this union dissolved in May 1991, it was blessed with three children; Helen, John and Mary Jo.

In pursuit of a better job opportunity, Joe moved his young family to Tacoma, Washington in 1962. There he excelled in his profession as lead mechanic at Bunce Rental for 35 years. At Bunce, he was fondly referred to as “Ole Joe”. Joe could repair anything, from the smallest appliance to heavy equipment. He was a highly respected and valued employee. Even after he retired, at age 70, he was called and asked to work just a little. He said, “Hell No. Are you crazy?” He had already discovered the joy of retirement. Although friends and family still relied on his repair skills, and he was more than happy to help anyone, he now had plenty of time to enjoy other activities.

After retirement he learned to dance or thought he did. He was often stiff and one beat off but he loved it and went dancing nearly every weekend. He took great pride in his home and yard. He was especially proud of his roses, tomatoes and other vegetables. He was a generous man and always shared the fruits of his labor with neighbors and family. His home and garage were meticulous. There was never anything out of place. Every tool had a home and every bolt, nut and screw had its own drawer. No weed or bug survived for long in his yard.

When Helen brought Steve home to meet the folks, she knew dad liked him right away. Boyfriends he didn’t especially care for were ignored, but right away he delighted in giving Steve a “hard time”. As Steve is curious and seems to have to touch things, dad soon had a favorite saying. It was “Well he hasn’t been here five minutes and he’s already broke something.” Steve would hurriedly reply, “Don’t worry Joe, I can fix it.” Joe fondly referred to Steve as the Pollock and they became fast friends. They were more like a father and son than father and son in law. They did so much together, from cutting wood, to building the cabin at Alder Lake and Joe’s new garage, to playing cards on Saturday night. Steve will forever miss his friendship and comaderie. Now trouble was not foreign to these two. They could be quite mischievous. What one didn’t think of the other one did. Steve remembers that Joe would back him up, no matter what. Even when Steve would tell Helen some crazy story to get out of trouble, Joe wouldn’t give him up, except for one time. It seems that Joe and Steve celebrated a little too much and Steve stumbled into a Rhody and broke it. Steve of course told Helen that the dog did it. Joe let it go for some time but a few weeks later he couldn’t help himself and said to Helen, “You know what really happened to that bush don’t you?” Helen just replied, “I figured as much” and then proceeded to get after Steve.

Helen remembers dad always being there for her, unbelievably so. While in nursing school, she was still quite the city girl and happened to come home and find bees in her apartment. In a panic she called dad. He actually came all the way across town to get rid of them. Dad was always her hero and he earned that accolade, time after time. In her eyes, there was nothing he could not do.

Mary fondly remembers preparing for the holidays with dad. He was fussy about his tree and insisted that every piece of tinsel was hanging straight. She remembers lazy days of summer spent with dad just talking and skimming rocks into the lake, enjoying camp fires and barbecuing.

Joe enjoyed traveling with trips to the ocean, Mexico and Hawaii. He most loved trips back to Minnesota to visit with his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. He told great stories of the mischief they could get into, especially with brother Clem. He also loved Mt. Rainier and visited there at least once a year.

There was one skill Joe never mastered, swimming. Although he took lessons in later life, he never did catch on. This was quite evident one very hot summer day. Joe, Steve and Helen were returning home from an outing and decided to stop and cool off at Alder Lake. Since he couldn’t swim, Joe decided to walk down a boat ramp into the water. Well a piece of concrete had broken away and down he went. Joe was thrashing and flailing in the water and yelling, “Save me. I’m drowning.” As he flailed away, Helen said, “Dad, stand up.” He continued thrashing and yelling so she went and grabbed him and helped him up. The water was just a little over his knees. Dad didn’t lose his life that day but he did lose his glasses.

Joe had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. He enjoyed his neighbors and friends. He especially liked his Monday and Wednesday cocktail hour with his neighbor “Swanee”. As they were both batching it, it was great to get together and just visit. Being neighbors and friends for 48 years they had a lot of reminiscing to do. It could get interesting though, as they both loved practical jokes, and each could get quite feisty if one was thought to be trying to best the other.

Joe was a proud and fiercely independent man. He adored his family and would have given his own life for his kids. When Helen had to tell him she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, tears welled up in his eyes and he said “Why can’t it be me?” He was always there for his kids with love, guidance and support.

Joe adored his grandkids. He never missed John or Garrett showing their animals at the summer and fall fairs. He was so very proud of their many accomplishments. He loved the holidays with family and especially enjoyed gathering at Steve and Helen’s cabin during the summer. He loved the fireworks on the fourth; boating on the lake and watching his grandkids swim, ski and kneeboard. He also loved a good water fight. One fourth of July when brother Clem was visiting, they chased each other in and out of the cabin with water pistols, just like little boys. Although the ravages of Alzheimer’s robbed him of really knowing his great grandkids, he did enjoy their company. When they were around he always loved watching them play. They always brought a smile to his face.

Joe was a man of deep faith. He was a devout Catholic and a member of Holy Rosary Catholic church. He was also a member of the Elks and Eagles. The saddest day of Joe’s life was June 19, 1990, when his son, John, passed away due to multiple bee stings.

Also preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Ben Fiecke, Henry Fiecke, Clemons Fiecke and Eugene Fiecke; sisters Mary Rohling and Agnes Horstman. Left behind to mourn him are his daughters, Helen (Steve) Webster and Mary Jo Fiecke; grandchildren, John (Erin) Webster, Garrett (Brianne) Webster, Justin (Angie) Fiecke, Jennifer (Christopher) Ecklund; great grandchildren, Natalie Webster, Kenadie Webster, Trace Webster, Hunter Webster, Talia Fiecke, Nathaniel Fiecke, Mikayla Ecklund; brothers Alphonse (Rose) Fiecke, and Francis (Joan) Fiecke; sisters, Leona (Albin) Lewandowski and Loretta Thiesen; sisters-in-law, Eleanor Fiecke, Aggie Fiecke, and Leona Fiecke; numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad, thank you for all the cherished memories and for providing a wonderful home, but most of all, thank you for always loving us unconditionally. It was an honor to be called your daughter. You were the greatest dad in all the land. We know your body is now at rest but your soul is alive in God. We will love and miss you always. Love and kisses until we are together again.

Special thanks to Franciscan Hospice House for the tremendous, compassionate care you gave our father during his final days. He passed with the dignity and comfort he deserved. You are all angels. Funeral service is Thursday, May 20. 2010, 2:00PM at Powers Sumner Funeral Home, 15124 Main St., Sumner, WA 98390, 253-863-1862. Private interment will be in Woodbine Cemetery, Puyallup.