Born Jan. 13, 1948, in Elba, to Earl and Irene Ellringer (Tottingham). Joel attended elementary and high school in St. Charles. Joel was a Vietnam veteran, having served in the United States Air Force from 1966-1970. After the service he moved to Rochester, and began working for Camera Arts in Lewiston. In 1971, he married Terri Leisen. They later divorced. In 1974, he began working for IBM where he worked for 37 years. On June 28, 1975, he married Jill Dendler and they had 37 memorable years together. In 2011, he retired from IBM and moved to Carolina Shores, N.C. They returned to Minnesota after his cancer diagnosis to continue his care here and to be closer to family and friends.
Joel was a member of Homestead United Methodist Church. He was involved in mission work through the church, including three mission trips to Jamaica, three to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina and several youth mission trips. He was also a member of the United Methodist Men's group and served on the Board of Trustees. Joel and his wife Jill enjoyed their time together on their motorcycles, taking rides locally and throughout the country. After hanging up the chaps, he bought a Mustang Convertible and enjoyed many trips through the Minnesota/Wisconsin back roads.
He is survived by his wife, Jill of Rochester; two children, Kimberly of St. Michael and Joshua of Rochester; two brothers, Frank of Inver Grove Heights and Jim (Gerry) of St. Charles; four sisters, Judy (Chuck) Nicklay of St. Charles, Joan (Tom) St. Martin of Rochester, Jane Spitzer of Rochester and Janet (Rick) Whitaker of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews (too many to list).
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 21, at 11 a.m. at Homestead United Methodist Church, with Minister of Membership Care, Jane Day officiating. His body has been donated to the Mayo Clinic and will be cremated with an internment at a later date
Born Jan. 13, 1948, in Elba, to Earl and Irene Ellringer (Tottingham). Joel attended elementary and high school in St. Charles. Joel was a Vietnam veteran, having served in the United States Air Force from 1966-1970. After the service he moved to Rochester, and began working for Camera Arts in Lewiston. In 1971, he married Terri Leisen. They later divorced. In 1974, he began working for IBM where he worked for 37 years. On June 28, 1975, he married Jill Dendler and they had 37 memorable years together. In 2011, he retired from IBM and moved to Carolina Shores, N.C. They returned to Minnesota after his cancer diagnosis to continue his care here and to be closer to family and friends.
Joel was a member of Homestead United Methodist Church. He was involved in mission work through the church, including three mission trips to Jamaica, three to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina and several youth mission trips. He was also a member of the United Methodist Men's group and served on the Board of Trustees. Joel and his wife Jill enjoyed their time together on their motorcycles, taking rides locally and throughout the country. After hanging up the chaps, he bought a Mustang Convertible and enjoyed many trips through the Minnesota/Wisconsin back roads.
He is survived by his wife, Jill of Rochester; two children, Kimberly of St. Michael and Joshua of Rochester; two brothers, Frank of Inver Grove Heights and Jim (Gerry) of St. Charles; four sisters, Judy (Chuck) Nicklay of St. Charles, Joan (Tom) St. Martin of Rochester, Jane Spitzer of Rochester and Janet (Rick) Whitaker of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews (too many to list).
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 21, at 11 a.m. at Homestead United Methodist Church, with Minister of Membership Care, Jane Day officiating. His body has been donated to the Mayo Clinic and will be cremated with an internment at a later date
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