Joseph "Joe" Hess, Jr.

Joseph “Joe” J. Hess, Jr., 55, of Lansing died Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral services were held Monday, April 15 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Joseph John Hess, Jr. was born October 5, 1963 in La Crosse, WI, the son of Joseph and Shirley (Smith) Hess. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Catholic Church in rural Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1983. When he was younger, he farmed with his father and his brother, Steve, in rural Lansing. Later in his life he went to work for Reel Core in Waukon for several years.

January 31, 1987, he married Linda Triggs in Waukon. They had one daughter, McKayla, and they later divorced.

In Joe’s spare time he enjoyed many outdoor activities. One of those activities was trapping with Don Kruse. He also enjoyed deer and coon hunting with his daughter. He was also fond of binge-watching TV shows; one of his favorite shows to watch with his nieces and nephews was SpongeBob.

Joe is survived by his daughter, McKayla Hess of Waukon; four brothers: John of Waukon, Michael of Idaho, Mark of Somerset, WI and Steven of Lansing; two sisters, Susan Freeman of Emerald, WI and Deborah Hammel of Decorah; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; a sister, Joann Hoisington; and a brother-in-law, Steve Hammel.

Honorary casketbearers were Joe’s nieces, nephews and close friends. Casketbearers were Nathan Aldrich, Matt Rea, Dave Zimmerman, Dave Duffy, Loran Waters and Shea Gavin.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.