Joseph Gregory

Joseph Henry Gregory, age 87 of Cass Lake and formerly of Belle Plaine passed away Sunday, October 30, 2016. He went peacefully surrounded by all of his children. He had spent the last weeks of his life at the home of his daughter Laurie in Lakeville, where he enjoyed many visits from his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he was very proud of. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11a.m. on Friday, November 4, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Fr. Brian Lynch will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-8p.m. on Thursday at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday morning. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Joseph was born December 15, 1928 to Henry and Alvina (Brandl) Gregory. He attended Belle Plaine schools and later served in the Army as a mechanic. He married the love of his life Mary Lou Carney on June 30, 1951 and they spent their life together in Belle Plaine, raising six children. Through the years, Joe worked as a mechanic. After returning from the Army he worked at Gopher Engine Rebuilding of Hopkins, Arnie Stier, Fred Tillquist Ford Dealer, Frank Johnson Allis Chalmers Dealer, Logan Denzer John Deere Dealer all in Belle Plaine. Joe helped build the airport in Belle Plaine and loved to fly. Joe and Mary ventured out on their own and ran Joe's Service for many years in Belle Plaine. They did general repair of farm equipment, automotive and eventually became a small engine, motorcycle and snowmobile dealership. In 1975 they sold the motorcycle and snowmobile franchises and started Joe's Dragline Service digging farm drainage ditches and wildlife ponds. After Mary Lou's passing in 1985, Joe moved to Cass Lake continuing his excavation work until retirement. He worked in his machine shop and continued repairing or building things for people right up until recent months. Joe was known for his ability to make parts for old machinery that were obsolete and inventing many machines that served special purposes. Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Mary, parents, grandson, Shawn Buesgens, great granddaughter, Katie Luebbert, sisters, Mary Gregory, Agnes Ryan and Elizabeth Lambrecht. He is survived by his Children, Laurie (Danny) Barth of Lakeville, Terry (Virginia) Gregory of Statford, IA, Lisa (Terry) Buesgens of Belle Plaine, Linda (Marty) Luetmer of Belle Plaine, Johanna (Don) Clay of Laporte, Becky Gregory (Jose Valdez) of Belle Plaine, Brothers, Norbert & Harold (Mary) of Belle Plaine, Donald (Margaret) of Clearbrook, Sisters, Katherine (Jim) Conroy of Oakdale, Alice Gobeli of Sidney, Australia, Sister in law, Muriel Carney of Minneapolis, 19 Grandchildren, 26 Great Grandchildren, Many nieces & nephews.

Previous Events

Cemetery Details