Joseph Clarence DeNucci, 87, of Nashwauk passed away on Friday, December 31, 2010, at Wendigo Pines in Grand Rapids.
Joe was born on December 9, 1923 in Hibbing to Louis and Libra (DeDonato) DeNucci.
He was the youngest of six children, and was proud to be a lifetime resident of Nashwauk. He graduated with honors from the Nashwauk High School in 1941. He then attended Hibbing Junior College for two years.
Joe participated in athletics at both schools. An athletic highlight was breaking the state record in the long jump (22' 7 1⁄2") at the 1941 Minnesota State Track Meet. That mark still stands today as the Nashwauk-Keewatin school record. Joe served his country in the United States Army during World War II in Europe. He was a corporal in the 537th Engineer L.P. Company and was a proud member of General Patton's Third Army. His company-built bridges across the European rivers so tanks and troops could cross. The 537th earned four battle stars: Northern France, Central Europe, Rhineland and the Ardennes. For his efforts, Joe was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
Joe was united in marriage on March 25, 1953, in Nashwauk to Helmi Ruoho Maki. They were married for over 50 years, until Helmi preceded him in death on September 23, 2003. He retired as an automotive mechanic from Keewatin's National Steel Pellet Plant. He also worked at many natural iron ore mines during his 40-year career for the Hanna Mining Company. Some of the mines he spent time at include: the Douglas, Galbraith, Hawkins, Pierce, Carls-Perry, Mesabi Chief, Buckeye, Butler Brothers and the Whitney. A highlight of his work career was working on the building of the tailing basin or "pond" in Keewatin.
Joe was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, the Nashwauk American Legion Post 307, the VFW Post in Nashwauk, United Steelworkers Local 2660 and the NK Athletic Hall of Fame.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors. He loved gardening, sawing wood, cooking sauce and taking his daily walks — rain or shine. He also enjoyed carpentry and mechanics. He was appreciated for helping family and neighbors with various projects. He always enjoyed the people in Nashwauk, either walking with or carrying on a good conversation.
He is survived by one son, Joe (Jill) DeNucci of Nashwauk; two grandsons, Ben (Kelly) DeNucci of Bingen, Wash., and Bob DeNucci of Nashwauk; three step-daughters: Joyce Johnson of Keewatin, Shirley (Howard) Johnson of Bloomington, Minn., and Ardyce (Mike) Pecharich of Becker, Minn.; grandchildren: Cindy, Debbie, Lori, Danny, Mark, Lynn, John, Tom, Julie, Steve and their families, who all loved Joe very much. The grandkids and their families all knew him as "Grandpa Joe." He is also survived by special nieces, Joana (DeNucci-Dasovich) Ukali and Juleene Gustafson, along with his many nieces and nephews as well.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helmi; his parents, Louis and Libra DeNucci, two brothers, Jimmy DeNucci and Tony DeNucci, three sisters: Violet Dasovich, Angeline Ahlgren and Rose Pahule; uncle, Ted DeNucci; and a son-in-law, William T. Johnson.
Interment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing
Joe was born on December 9, 1923 in Hibbing to Louis and Libra (DeDonato) DeNucci.
He was the youngest of six children, and was proud to be a lifetime resident of Nashwauk. He graduated with honors from the Nashwauk High School in 1941. He then attended Hibbing Junior College for two years.
Joe participated in athletics at both schools. An athletic highlight was breaking the state record in the long jump (22' 7 1⁄2") at the 1941 Minnesota State Track Meet. That mark still stands today as the Nashwauk-Keewatin school record. Joe served his country in the United States Army during World War II in Europe. He was a corporal in the 537th Engineer L.P. Company and was a proud member of General Patton's Third Army. His company-built bridges across the European rivers so tanks and troops could cross. The 537th earned four battle stars: Northern France, Central Europe, Rhineland and the Ardennes. For his efforts, Joe was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
Joe was united in marriage on March 25, 1953, in Nashwauk to Helmi Ruoho Maki. They were married for over 50 years, until Helmi preceded him in death on September 23, 2003. He retired as an automotive mechanic from Keewatin's National Steel Pellet Plant. He also worked at many natural iron ore mines during his 40-year career for the Hanna Mining Company. Some of the mines he spent time at include: the Douglas, Galbraith, Hawkins, Pierce, Carls-Perry, Mesabi Chief, Buckeye, Butler Brothers and the Whitney. A highlight of his work career was working on the building of the tailing basin or "pond" in Keewatin.
Joe was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, the Nashwauk American Legion Post 307, the VFW Post in Nashwauk, United Steelworkers Local 2660 and the NK Athletic Hall of Fame.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors. He loved gardening, sawing wood, cooking sauce and taking his daily walks — rain or shine. He also enjoyed carpentry and mechanics. He was appreciated for helping family and neighbors with various projects. He always enjoyed the people in Nashwauk, either walking with or carrying on a good conversation.
He is survived by one son, Joe (Jill) DeNucci of Nashwauk; two grandsons, Ben (Kelly) DeNucci of Bingen, Wash., and Bob DeNucci of Nashwauk; three step-daughters: Joyce Johnson of Keewatin, Shirley (Howard) Johnson of Bloomington, Minn., and Ardyce (Mike) Pecharich of Becker, Minn.; grandchildren: Cindy, Debbie, Lori, Danny, Mark, Lynn, John, Tom, Julie, Steve and their families, who all loved Joe very much. The grandkids and their families all knew him as "Grandpa Joe." He is also survived by special nieces, Joana (DeNucci-Dasovich) Ukali and Juleene Gustafson, along with his many nieces and nephews as well.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helmi; his parents, Louis and Libra DeNucci, two brothers, Jimmy DeNucci and Tony DeNucci, three sisters: Violet Dasovich, Angeline Ahlgren and Rose Pahule; uncle, Ted DeNucci; and a son-in-law, William T. Johnson.
Interment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing
Joseph Clarence DeNucci, 87, of Nashwauk passed away on Friday, December 31, 2010, at Wendigo Pines in Grand Rapids.
Joe was born on December 9, 1923 in Hibbing to Louis and Libra (DeDonato) DeNucci.
He was the youngest of six children, and was proud to be a lifetime resident of Nashwauk. He graduated with honors from the Nashwauk High School in 1941. He then attended Hibbing Junior College for two years.
Joe participated in athletics at both schools. An athletic highlight was breaking the state record in the long jump (22' 7 1⁄2") at the 1941 Minnesota State Track Meet. That mark still stands today as the Nashwauk-Keewatin school record. Joe served his country in the United States Army during World War II in Europe. He was a corporal in the 537th Engineer L.P. Company and was a proud member of General Patton's Third Army. His company-built bridges across the European rivers so tanks and troops could cross. The 537th earned four battle stars: Northern France, Central Europe, Rhineland and the Ardennes. For his efforts, Joe was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
Joe was united in marriage on March 25, 1953, in Nashwauk to Helmi Ruoho Maki. They were married for over 50 years, until Helmi preceded him in death on September 23, 2003. He retired as an automotive mechanic from Keewatin's National Steel Pellet Plant. He also worked at many natural iron ore mines during his 40-year career for the Hanna Mining Company. Some of the mines he spent time at include: the Douglas, Galbraith, Hawkins, Pierce, Carls-Perry, Mesabi Chief, Buckeye, Butler Brothers and the Whitney. A highlight of his work career was working on the building of the tailing basin or "pond" in Keewatin.
Joe was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, the Nashwauk American Legion Post 307, the VFW Post in Nashwauk, United Steelworkers Local 2660 and the NK Athletic Hall of Fame.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors. He loved gardening, sawing wood, cooking sauce and taking his daily walks — rain or shine. He also enjoyed carpentry and mechanics. He was appreciated for helping family and neighbors with various projects. He always enjoyed the people in Nashwauk, either walking with or carrying on a good conversation.
He is survived by one son, Joe (Jill) DeNucci of Nashwauk; two grandsons, Ben (Kelly) DeNucci of Bingen, Wash., and Bob DeNucci of Nashwauk; three step-daughters: Joyce Johnson of Keewatin, Shirley (Howard) Johnson of Bloomington, Minn., and Ardyce (Mike) Pecharich of Becker, Minn.; grandchildren: Cindy, Debbie, Lori, Danny, Mark, Lynn, John, Tom, Julie, Steve and their families, who all loved Joe very much. The grandkids and their families all knew him as "Grandpa Joe." He is also survived by special nieces, Joana (DeNucci-Dasovich) Ukali and Juleene Gustafson, along with his many nieces and nephews as well.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helmi; his parents, Louis and Libra DeNucci, two brothers, Jimmy DeNucci and Tony DeNucci, three sisters: Violet Dasovich, Angeline Ahlgren and Rose Pahule; uncle, Ted DeNucci; and a son-in-law, William T. Johnson.
Interment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing
Joe was born on December 9, 1923 in Hibbing to Louis and Libra (DeDonato) DeNucci.
He was the youngest of six children, and was proud to be a lifetime resident of Nashwauk. He graduated with honors from the Nashwauk High School in 1941. He then attended Hibbing Junior College for two years.
Joe participated in athletics at both schools. An athletic highlight was breaking the state record in the long jump (22' 7 1⁄2") at the 1941 Minnesota State Track Meet. That mark still stands today as the Nashwauk-Keewatin school record. Joe served his country in the United States Army during World War II in Europe. He was a corporal in the 537th Engineer L.P. Company and was a proud member of General Patton's Third Army. His company-built bridges across the European rivers so tanks and troops could cross. The 537th earned four battle stars: Northern France, Central Europe, Rhineland and the Ardennes. For his efforts, Joe was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
Joe was united in marriage on March 25, 1953, in Nashwauk to Helmi Ruoho Maki. They were married for over 50 years, until Helmi preceded him in death on September 23, 2003. He retired as an automotive mechanic from Keewatin's National Steel Pellet Plant. He also worked at many natural iron ore mines during his 40-year career for the Hanna Mining Company. Some of the mines he spent time at include: the Douglas, Galbraith, Hawkins, Pierce, Carls-Perry, Mesabi Chief, Buckeye, Butler Brothers and the Whitney. A highlight of his work career was working on the building of the tailing basin or "pond" in Keewatin.
Joe was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, the Nashwauk American Legion Post 307, the VFW Post in Nashwauk, United Steelworkers Local 2660 and the NK Athletic Hall of Fame.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors. He loved gardening, sawing wood, cooking sauce and taking his daily walks — rain or shine. He also enjoyed carpentry and mechanics. He was appreciated for helping family and neighbors with various projects. He always enjoyed the people in Nashwauk, either walking with or carrying on a good conversation.
He is survived by one son, Joe (Jill) DeNucci of Nashwauk; two grandsons, Ben (Kelly) DeNucci of Bingen, Wash., and Bob DeNucci of Nashwauk; three step-daughters: Joyce Johnson of Keewatin, Shirley (Howard) Johnson of Bloomington, Minn., and Ardyce (Mike) Pecharich of Becker, Minn.; grandchildren: Cindy, Debbie, Lori, Danny, Mark, Lynn, John, Tom, Julie, Steve and their families, who all loved Joe very much. The grandkids and their families all knew him as "Grandpa Joe." He is also survived by special nieces, Joana (DeNucci-Dasovich) Ukali and Juleene Gustafson, along with his many nieces and nephews as well.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helmi; his parents, Louis and Libra DeNucci, two brothers, Jimmy DeNucci and Tony DeNucci, three sisters: Violet Dasovich, Angeline Ahlgren and Rose Pahule; uncle, Ted DeNucci; and a son-in-law, William T. Johnson.
Interment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing
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