Joseph Stiegel

Joseph R. "Pete" Stiegel, 86 year old resident of Little Falls, MN died Wednesday, September 19 at the Pierz Villa Nursing Home in Pierz, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 24 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Al Stangl officiating. Burial will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until the hour of service on Monday at the Pierz Villa Nursing Home in Pierz, MN. Joseph R. Stiegel was born July 24, 1926 in Little Falls, MN to the late Joseph and Bernadine (Randall) Stiegel. He grew up and attended school in Little Falls, MN. As a young boy, he worked for his father's grocery store business "Stiegel Grocery" in Little Falls, MN. He graduated with the class of 1944. During his time in high school, Joseph was a standout basketball player. His senior year he scored 22 points in a single game, which at that time, was a school record. Joseph served his country in the United States Navy from June 2, 1944 until June 26, 1946, entering the service at the age of 17. He was a veteran of World War II. He was stationed for a portion of his military duty in the South Pacific. Joseph attended the University of Minnesota. He returned to Little Falls, MN. Joseph was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Guggemos on June 5, 1950 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson, WI. The couple made their home in North St. Paul, MN for 14 years. They attended St. Peter's Catholic Church in North St. Paul, MN. The couple later divorced. Joseph returned to Little Falls, MN to live. He was a very passionate Minnesota Gopher football and basketball fan and the Minnesota Vikings. Cherishing his memory are his son, Thomas (Donna) Stiegel of Clive, IA; daughter, Kathryn May of Campbell, CA; sisters, Bernadine "TeBun" (Robert) Durrenberger of Phoenix, AZ, Phyllis Weigel of Little Falls, MN; brother, John (Mary Lou) Stiegel of St. Cloud, MN; grandchildren, Robert May, Joanna May, Joseph Stiegel, Matthew Stiegel and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Stiegel of Minneapolis, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bernadine Stiegel; son, James Stiegel; wife, Elizabeth "Betty" and a brother-in-law, Richard Weigel. The Stiegel Family wants to thank the staff at the Pierz Villa and St. Croix Hospice for the excellent care they provided our father and brother.