Joachim "Joe" Schwiedop

JOACHIM 'JOE' SCHWIEDOP was born to Wilhem and Alice Elsbeth (Findekling) Schwiedop in Konigsberg, Prussia on February 21, 1941. He moved with his family to Dragstedt, Germany at the age of four and attended school there. Joe moved to Bremerhoven, Germany for a year before coming to the United States in 1959. He was a career plumber and pipefitter. He lived in Caldwell, New Jersey for a year then moved to Montclair, New Jersey where he lived from 1960 - 1972. The family then moved to Gilbert, Pennsylvania until 2005 when he moved to the Midwest and settled in Lane, South Dakota. On December 8, 2012 Joe was united in marriage to Melva Ebeling at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota. The newlyweds continued to live in Luverne. In January of 2013 Joe began working as a caretaker of the Beaver Creek Rest Area on I-90. Throughout his life, and especially in his retirement years, Joe enjoyed traveling, hunting, and was an award winning dog trainer. Joe died peacefully at his home in Luverne on Monday, March 24, 2014, surrounded by family; he lived to 73 years.

Joe will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Melva of Luverne, Minnesota; his six children, Berget Schwiedop of Kissamee, Florida, Suzanne Schwiedop of Counsel Bluffs, Iowa, Kurt Schwiedop of Sewell, New Jersey, John Schwiedop of Spencer, Iowa, Anthony Schwiedop of Kokomo, Indiana, and Michelle Schwiedop of Gann Valley, South Dakota; his mother Alice Schwiedop of Bremerhaven, Germany; a brother, Ulrich Schwiedop of Drangstedt, Germany; three grandchildren, Leanna Gates, Ridge Schwiedop, and Deandra Zastrow. He was preceded in death by his father, Wilhem Schwiedop, and a brother, George Schwiedop.