Joseph P. “Joe” Messer, Sr., 78, died Saturday, October 22, 2011 from a long illness at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson surrounded by family. Joe’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Pius Cemetery, Schefield. Military honors will be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team following the Mass. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Ladbury Funeral Service, with a St. Pius Rosary & Time of Sharing at 7 p.m.
Joseph Peter Messer was born June 23, 1933, at home on the farm south of Richardton, the son of John and Katherine (Greff) Messer. He was raised and educated in Richardton.
Joe joined the United States Army on February 9, 1954, and was honorably discharged on February 8, 1956. Joe reached the rank of Private First Class serving as a supply handler.
Joe married Otillia Olheiser on October 15, 1956 at St. Pius Catholic Church in Schefield. In 1964, Joe and Tillie settled in Schefield where they raised their family until 2000. They then retired to Dickinson.
Joe farmed from 1956 to 1964. He then began working at Dolajak Manufacturing and Iron Works from 1965 to 1976. From 1976 to 1978, Joe worked for the Dickinson Cheese Company as a truck driver delivering milk to Dakota Country Cheese. From 1978 until retirement, Joe worked for George and Ron Ehlis. After his retirement in 1998, he continued to work part-time as a truck driver for the Ehlis brothers and Dickinson Truck Equipment.
Joe belonged to the St. Pius Verein and Knights of Columbus.
Joe enjoyed bowling, having coffee and visiting with friends, telling jokes, going to the casino, cutting wood for the house, mowing grass with the riding lawn mower, and driving truck. Joe especially loved watching stock car races at the Southwest Speedway in Dickinson, listening to old time music, watching westerns, and taking his beloved naps.
Joe is survived by eight children; Diane (Galen) Hauck, Bismarck, Sharon (Dennis) McKinney, Elizabeth, Colo., Michelle (BJ Liddle) Messer, Bismarck, Jolene (Jerry) Troupe, Juneau, Alaska, Joseph Messer Jr., Schefield, James (Carla) Messer, Mandan, Patrick (Delores) Messer, Mandan, and Rita Messer, Dickinson; 13 grandchildren; Tara & Jordan Hauck, Joshua McKinney, Amanda Serr, Jeremy (Heather) Kuntz, Christopher Kuntz, DesiRae Messer, Amy & Nathan Messer, Travis Messer, Nicole “Shnook” Messer, Ashley (Fiance Harley Frederick) Krushevsky, and Dacotah Krushevsky; six great grandchildren; McKenzie Serr, Daytona Haugen, Destiny & Paxton Kuntz, Camron & Kaleigh Frederick; five brothers; Kasper, Anoka, Minn., Albert (Dolores), Anaconda, Mont., Mike (Irene), Dickinson, Larry (Diane), Richardton, Eddy (Debbie), Byers, Colo.; three sisters; Alice (Howard) Steiner, Mott, Bernie (Jim) Staudinger, Taylor, Kathy (Kenny) Hueske, Richardton; sisters-in-law; Veronica Messer, Anoka, Minn., Eileen Messer, Fargo; Polly Messer, Dickinson, brothers-in-law; Cornell Hoff, Dickinson and Ron Kopp, Littleton, Colo. He was preceded in death by his wife, Tillie, his parents, John & Katie Messer, two brothers, Clarence and Norman, and two sisters, Delores Hoff and JoAnn Kopp.
