Obituary of Joseph C. Gratzfeld

Joseph C. Gratzfeld, age 59, of Yankton, SD passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 27, 2015 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Robert Wullweber officiating. Private family burial of his cremated remains will be in the Beaver Creek Cemetery, rural Crofton, NE. Visitations will begin at 4:00 PM, Monday, March 30, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM and Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers are John Auch, Art Bottolfson, Dave Keuhler, Doug Jensen, Marlon Huber and Mike Peck. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe's children, step children, grand and step grandchildren. Joseph C. Gratzfeld, son of Joe and Sylvia (Binder) Gratzfeld was born April 27th 1955 in Yankton and died unexpectedly March 27th, 2015 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital at the age of 59. He grew up in Yankton and attended Yankton Schools. He married Kathryn St. Pierre on Nov-15th-1975. To this union his son Joshua and daughter Leah were born He married Mary Gassert on May-30th-1992. On Aug-8th-1997, he married Joyce Crossman (Tramp) and became step-father to Mary, Wendy, Gregory and Michael Crossman. He worked several jobs around the Yankton and Hartington area. He was employed at Wilson Trailer for several years until health issues cause him into early retirement. Joe always had a smile on his face as well as the gift of gab. He talked to everyone he met as if they were longtime friends. He was always available to give a helping hand. He enjoyed doing wood projects and tinkering in his "Man Cave". He loved to go for drives around the lake, camping, boating that included fishing as a favorite, four-wheeling, having friends and family over for a good old fashion barbeque and of course watching western movies. He was frequently surrounded by grandchildren and numerous extended family and friends. Grandchildren include Tyrell, Jonathan, Matthew and Joshua Jr. (Gratzfeld). Step Grandchildren Kayla, Mato, Andrea (Wright), Ashley, Kendra, Landon, Brandon, Hailey, Lillian, Ethan, Maya (Crossman). He is survived by his wife Joyce, son Joshua, daughter Leah, stepchildren Mary, Wendy, Gregory, (Lacy) and Michael (Jessica). His parents Joe and Sylvia, his brother David (Barb) and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. In-laws Arnold and Jeanette Tramp, Yuma, AZ, sisters in-law Judy (Dave) Thury, Parkston SD and June (Brian) McCardell, Spring Valley, CA. He is proceeded in death by his brother Daniel, step granddaughter Ashley and step-grandson KeAndre, brother in-law Michael Tramp, grandparents and uncles.