Cover photo for James W.  Joseph's Obituary
James W.  Joseph Profile Photo
1929 James 2017

James W. Joseph

September 21, 1929 — August 16, 2017

James W. Joseph, age 87, of La Crosse, died Wednesday, August 16, 2017 in Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. He was born on September 21, 1929, in Cloquet, Minn., to Ruth and Walter Joseph. James married June J. Joseph on August 6, 1955, in Skokie, Ill.

James graduated from Cloquet High School in 1947, then went to the U.S. Naval Training School in the Great Lakes, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1958 with a B.S. in Physical Therapy. While James was in the Navy, he served as a Corpsman in the Hospital from 1951 – 1955, and served aboard the U.S.S Everglades in the Mediterranean.

James’ medical career started at St. John’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., then he became the Chief Physical Therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.  After St. Luke’s he moved to La Crosse and became the Director of Physical Therapy Services at St. Francis Hospital from 1964-1980, and also serviced St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta.

As a private practice Physical Therapist, he served nursing homes from 1980- 1992 in Minnesota, including  La Crescent, Caledonia Community Hospital, Rushford and Houston.

He is survived by his wife June; one daughter Susan E. Semb; one grandson Christopher M. Semb; one brother Ken (Diane) Joseph, and many nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and in-laws.

A special “so long”  to the ‘guys’ in the Prostate Cancer Group.

Besides his family, his greatest love was to trailer his Bass Tracker Boat, with June, up to the beautiful North Woods to catch all manner of fish and always hoping for that elusive musky and, of course, starting cocktail hour at 4 P.M. with Johnny Walker and a bowl of popcorn.

On September 21, 2017, we will gather in loving memory of our husband, father and friend.  Jim would have celebrated his 88th birthday on that day.  Details will be announced at a later date.

Memorials may be given in Jim’s name to the Gundersen Medical Foundation Cancer research or Heart Institute Fund.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James W. Joseph, please visit our flower store.

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