Joseph Martin Jeffer, 80, Luverne, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center in Luverne.
A memorial service was Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. A private family burial of cremains will be at a later date.
Joseph Jeffer was born on Aug. 22, 1942, to Dick and Hattie (Lyftogt) Jeffer in Ashton, Iowa. Joe lived in Ashton, Matlock, Iowa, and Leota and graduated from Edgerton High School in 1960.
Joe married Wilma Smidstra on Aug. 29, 1963, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. They lived in Luverne. Wilma passed away in 2018. Joe and Wilma had a son, Richard, and a daughter, Rachelle.
Joe had many jobs during his career, and all of them related to driving truck.
When Joe wasn’t working, he kept very busy with his love for the outdoors. He enjoyed trapping, bow hunting, muzzle loader hunting, slug hunting and fishing. He enjoyed competing in indoor and outdoor archery, pistol and trap shooting. Joe also spent lots of time snowmobiling with the whole family. He raced cars at the Rock Rapids speedway for many years. He was his own mechanic, whether it was his race car, boat, vehicle or semi. Joe also enjoyed going out for coffee at McDonald’s with his friends.
On one of his many trips, Joe met Danelle Hamilton, and on April 25, 2020, they were united in marriage.
Joe is survived by his wife, Danelle Jeffer of Luverne; son Richard (Pam) Jeffer of Midlothian, Virginia; daughter Rachelle (Mark) VanderWaal of Edgerton; four grandchildren, Joey Jeffer, Kristin (Cory) Mcintosh, Brady VanderWaal and Tanner VanderWaal; sister Hellen (Dave) Nordgren of Crosslake; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Wilma; two sisters, Joan Van Hof and C.H. Kolleen; and a nephew, Dale Vant Hof.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
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