Joseph Serocki

Joseph "Joe" Paul Serocki, 66, Browns Valley, MN, passed away Sunday, February 7, 2016, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD, after a very courageous six-year battle with cancer.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 11, at 6:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, February 12, at 10:30 a.m. Both will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley with Father Stan Wieser officiating.

Burial will be at the Valley View Cemetery, Browns Valley. Honorary urn bearers will be Joe's Fishing Buddies, the Card Playing Crew, and "the Senior Circuit and Andrew." Active urn bearer will be Richard Serocki.

Joseph Paul Serocki was born August 16, 1949, to Paul and Joan (Lewandowski) Serocki in Browns Valley, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley. Joe grew up on the family farm and attended school in Browns Valley, graduating in 1967. He then attended Lake Area Tech graduating with a degree in Diesel Mechanics. After completing school, he returned to his family's dairy and grain farm. He was then employed by Christiansen Inc., in Wilmot, SD, as a mechanic for about four years and helped his brother Bob with drywall, while continuing to farm and milk cows.

On November 15, 1980, Joe married Patsy Kuschel at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley. They ran the dairy and grain farm that Joe grew up on, retiring from the dairy operation in 2005 and from the grain operation in 2015. Joe and Patsy raised four daughters. As a family, they enjoyed camping, "crop tours," and Sunday drives.

Joe was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. Joe's hobbies included fishing, playing cards, working in his garden, and watching sports. He loved spending time with friends and family, especially the grandkids. Even throughout his battle with cancer, Joe continued his sense of humor and positive outlook on life. His stories, jokes, contagious smile, and laugh will be missed by many.

Survivors include his wife, Patsy of Browns Valley; children, Casey Serocki (David Lewis) of Fargo, ND, Janelle (Lee) Holter of Milford, IA, and Sandra (Steve) Nordrum of Devils Lake, ND; grandchildren, Alexis Johnson, Nathaniel and Carter Lewis, Josie and Sadie Holter, and Cameron and Kinley Nordrum; great-grandson, David Johnson; brothers and sisters, Paul (Kathy) Serocki of Wilmot, SD, Franny (Lawrence) Renelt of Burnsville, MN, Patt (Leon) Westbrock of Alexandria, MN, and Mary Beyl of Sisseton, SD; brother-in-law, David (Lori) Kuschel of Browns Valley; sisters-in-law, Diane (Jerry) Johnson of Browns Valley, Karen (Bob) Metz of Browns Valley, Dixie (Jeff) Sander of Devils Lake, ND, Sarah (Greg) Wohlers of Montevideo, MN, and Kristi (Ed) Ahlbrecht of Litchfield, MN; many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his daughter, Heidi; parents, Paul and Joan; brothers, Jerome "Spud" and Bob; sister, Kathy Yost; father-in-law, Edwin Kuschel; and niece, Megan Kuschel.