Joseph “Joe” Theodore Appelhof, age 75 of Le Center, passed away on January 13th, 2024, after a courageous battle with Renal Cancer, with his loving daughter Tina by his side. A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, at the Le Center Funeral Home, 245 South Maple Ave, Le Center, MN. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00am, prior to the service. Lunch will take place following the service at 12:00pm at the Le Center American Legion, 97 S Park Ave, Le Center, MN 56057.
Interment will be at the Cordova Cemetery in the spring.

Joe Appelhof was born August 8th, 1948, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Rose (Holzemer) and Martin Appelhof. Growing up in Watertown, he attended Kranzburg Catholic Grade School, followed by Watertown High School where he graduated in 1966. He married Arletta Bixler in 1968. They were later divorced. In 1997, he met the love of his life Ramona Tietz, they were together for 23 years, and were able to travel the world together. For more than 34 years, Joe worked as a plant engineer with numerous companies. Most of those years he was employed at WinCo, Associated Engineering, and Exceed/Chippewa.

Joe was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend. He enjoyed riding around on his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, which took him to every state other than Hawaii. He loved to travel back to the Watertown area to visit his siblings and family members, for family reunions, playing cribbage and catching up with family. He was a member of the Minnesota Wings Motorcycle Club, and the Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Association where he would volunteer driving tractors. He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He helped with the Hering’s Maple Syrup business and took great pride in showing the ins and outs of the maple syruping process. Joe took care of his “sweetie” Ramona as she battled Alzheimer’s until he couldn’t anymore. Joe became a great advocate for others who have family members living with Alzheimer’s. Following Ramona’s death in 2020, he moved to the Waterville area to be close to his daughter and grandkids. He became a great help on the farm and syrup business as the parts runner.

Survivors include his children, Tina (Terry) Hering of Waterville, Joseph Appelhof Jr. of Minnesota Lake; his grandchildren, Trent (Ashlee) Hering of Waterville, Brittany (Mike) Beaudoin of Coon Rapids, Tyler (Natalie) Hering of Waterville, Tanner (Lindsay) Hering of Waterville, Ashley Appelhof of Shakopee, and Trista Hering of Waterville; his great grandchildren, Daniel Appelhof, Chase Hering, McKenzie Hering, Oakley Hering, Gavin Beaudoin, Bexley Hering and Talia Hering; siblings, Gayle (Wayne) Swenson of Watertown, SD, Donna Adams of Des Moines, IA, Charlie (Paulette) Appelhof of Goodwin SD, and Dr. Mark (Audrey) Appelhof of Clear Lake, SD. Bonus family; Shelly Tietz-Schneider and Mia Pribyl. As well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by significant other Ramona Tietz; parents, Rose and Martin Appelhof, brother, Milton Appelhof; sister-in-law, Linda Appelhof; brother-in-law, Rick Adams; and niece, Jennifer Ramirez. Grandparents, Theodore and Alida Appelhof, and Nick and Mary Holzemer.

Arrangements are with the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. 507-357-6116. On-line condolences may be left at lcfuneralhome.com.