Joseph J. Straub

A visitation and wake will be Friday, January 5 beginning at 4 P.M. with a prayer service at 7 P.M. at Saint Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. Mass of Christian Burial will be January 6 at 10:30 A.M. at Saint Cecelia Catholic Church. Burial will be at Saint Michael Cemetery in Whittemore.

Joseph J. Straub III passed away December 30, 2017 at the Kossuth Regional Heath Center. He is the son of Deacon Joseph J. and Mary Cash Straub, and the father of Joe IV and Betty Straub. Born on October 13, 1956, in Rockville Centre, New York, he was 61 years old.

Joe graduated from Bishop Garrigan High School and the University of Notre Dame. After that he spent a year exploring the United States as an over-the-road truck driver, then earned his law degree from the Creighton University School of Law.

Joe practiced law in Indianapolis, Indiana, and later in Algona, Iowa. He was a member of the Bar in Indiana and in Iowa and served as past president of the Kossuth County Bar Association. Having joined the Knights of Columbus in college, he was a member throughout his adult life and an active member of St. Cecelia's Parish in Algona, where he worshiped ...[more]

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ularly at 3:00 A.M. during Perpetual Adoration. Joe served as past President of the Algona Area Economic Development Corporation, and for several years enjoyed membership in the Sons of St. Patrick, helping to organize the annual Algona St. Patrick's Day parade and celebration.

When Joe was eight months old, he would crawl straight into the surf on Long Island, New York, protesting loudly as his father carried him back to the beach. His optimistic confidence was a hallmark of how he faced life. At age six, he would stand on the seat of a full-sized bicycle and ride down Church street in Algona, arms outspread while neighbors cheered in amazement. Joe was not yet twelve years old when he won the Eighteen and Under three-meter diving championship for the Algona Swim Team.

This spirit carried over into his adult life. Joe loved babies and children and was deemed the "funny uncle" by his nieces and nephews. He sincerely reveled in any good news that others shared. He performed many anonymous acts of kindness to family, friends and business associates. He loved being with friends and family but also enjoyed taking a "devil's advocate" role in friendly debates. Joe enjoyed a good argument, reading, music and cheering on Joe and Betty at Garrigan High School events. He was well-known among family and friends as a master meat smoker and won the "Best Chili" award at the first Whittemore Chili Cookoff. He won a fiercely contested family limerick contest and twice won the trophy of the Straub Olympics.

Joe is survived by his children Joseph John IV (Kelsey) Straub and Elizabeth Cash Straub, his parents, and his thirteen brothers and sisters: Cathy (Steve) Jayjack, Don Straub, Mary (Mike) LaVelle, Lisa (Randy) Milbrath, Bob (Deb) Straub, Pete (Mely) Straub, Tom (Nancy) Straub, Jim Straub, Monica (Joe Kennedy) Straub, Pat (Josh Wilkes) Straub, Frank Straub, Ed Straub and Emily (Scott) Guilliatt. He has 25 nieces and nephews and 14 grand-nieces and nephews.

Joe will be missed by many friends including Kelli Templeton West, whom he married in 1989. They shared a ten year marriage, two beloved children and a lifelong friendship.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mike Lampe and the nurses and staff at the Kossuth Regional Health Center as well as Dr. Yiyi Yan from the Mayo Clinic for their professional and compassionate care. Special thanks to Teri Boland, Joe's legal assistant. To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com/obituary/235497/Joseph-Straub-,-III