Joe David Wadsley, age 74 of Early, IA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA. Joe was born on October 11, 1950, to parents Ivan and Dorothy (Walker) Wadsley in Sac City. He grew up on a farm outside of Early and attended Crestland School. He graduated high school in 1968 and then attended Westmar College in LeMars, IA, graduating in 1972 with a bachelor degree.
On September 30, 1972, Joe married the love of his life, Julie Mae Coon, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early. They were blessed with two children, Karmen and Jason.
Joe farmed alongside his father and eventually took over when his father retired. He also worked as a welder at Corn Belt Manufacturing in Early welding semi trailers. He was a past member and assistant chief of the Early Fire Department, was on the Co-op Board, and was a part of the Friday night chain gang for high school football games. He farmed up until the fall of 2023, when he made the decision that it was time to retire. He was very content & happy with his decision.
Joe was a steady presence & loved in his community. He was a gentle, kind soul with a quiet sense of humor. He would make everyone he came into contact with smile. When he met someone new he made them feel they were a lifelong friend. He loved a good conversation. Joe loved to ski on snow and water and enjoyed family vacations to Colorado and Okoboji.
He was a very involved parent & grandparent. He attended all of his kids’ activities and attended as many of his grandkids’ activities as he could. Joe was a hard worker, and worked hard for everything he had. He enjoyed his night caps & “coffee”. A walk across the street or taking a drive and stopping along the way to chat with friends was one of his favorite pastimes. He always had wise life advice. Joe loved his children dearly. Above all of this, his love for his wife was deep. He made her feel safe, he took care of her, maybe with a little grumbling, but you knew it was through love. He will be missed dearly by his family and all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Julie Wadsley of Early, IA; children Karmen Gruhn and Jason (Beth) Wadsley both of Belle Plaine, MN; grandchildren Trevor, Derek, and Tyler Gruhn, Landon and Owen Wadsley; sisters: Virginia Wadsley of Des Moines, IA, Barb (Gary) Willett of Jefferson, IA, Mary Wadsley of Belle Plaine, MN, Carol Wadsley of Storm Lake, IA; sisters-in-law: Janice Coon, Jean Wolfe, Vicki Coon, and Joleen Merten; brothers-in-law Jim (Bonnee) Coon and Jay Coon; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Dorothy Wadsley; parents-in-law Leonard and Genevieve Coon; brothers-in-law John Coon, Bill Wolfe, Bill Merten, and Jerry Coon; and sister-in-law Anita Coon.