Obituary of Joseph Macek

A funeral service for Joseph "Little Joe" Macek, 87, of Milford will be held Friday, October 21, 2016 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Burial will be at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church Cemetery in Jackson. Visitation will be begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Joseph John Macek was born April 15, 1929 in Jackson Minnesota to Joe and Rose Macek. He grew up on the family farm in Jackson Minnesota with his two sisters, Theresa and Frances. Joe enlisted in the Army on January 16, 1951 and served his country until November 11, 1951. Joe began the button accordion while in grade school while playing music with the family. Little Joe and his best friend Kenny Pavelko began Little Joe's Polka Band in 1951. Performing with the band, Joe shared his love of music traveling the Upper Midwest Region, Texas, Hawaii, Mexico and appearing on The Band Wagon Show, The Hi Lo Club, and The State Line Store to mention just few. He was well known for his version of "The Laughing Polka". He continued to play the accordion for special occasions even after moving into Keelson Harbor and Hawkeye Care Center in Milford. On June 13, 1986, Little Joe married Doris Macek at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Milford Iowa. With this union, Joe gained 5 children. Joe loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed taking his grandkids on walks, playing music with them at the family Christmas program and telling fish stories. Besides the band, Joe had many other jobs during his life. He especially enjoyed those jobs that allowed him to talk with people. He worked at De Kalb, Arnolds Park Amusement Park and the car wash. If you couldn't find him, he was up at the grade with a bucket and fishing pole catching bull heads or taking a break with a Diet Coke and a Snickers while hiding it from Doris. Joe died on October 17, 2016 at Hawkeye Care Center in Milford, Iowa. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Rose. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Doris. Children Dorene Nelson (Duane) of Jackson, MN; Mike Thortsen, Normal IL; Robyn Spillman (Dave), Northfield, MN; Rocky Thompson (Angie), Milford IA, Ronarae Riemenschneider (Andrew), Fostoria IA; 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and his sisters Theresa and Frances of Jackson, MN.