Joe Solberg Jr.

Joseph "Joe" A. Solberg Jr., age 95, died Friday, Sept. 25, in La Crosse, WI.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, Oct. 30 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 204 1st Street NW, New Richland, MN 56072. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Trinity Lutheran.

Joseph Alfred Solberg Jr was born Nov 9, 1930 at home near Hartland. Joe was the 2nd son of Joseph Sr. and Alma (Sigurson) Solberg. He graduated from Freeborn High School in 1949, where he met his classmate and friend, Barbara Crowe. They were married on October 7, 1950. They cherished 74 years of marriage.

First and foremost, Joe was a FARMER, even in his last days he wanted to "break out of here" to check on the crops and animals, if only he could find the truck keys. Farm work took precedence above all else, which suited Joe and Barb, since they worked side by side on their crop and dairy farm. Once he sold the dairy herd, he continued to raise beef cattle. Joe loved to tell stories. He always inserted a little chuckle mid story, so we knew he was enjoying the memories he was sharing. He learned to speak Norwegian as a child listening to his parents and grandparents, who did not learn of his talent until years later. Joe loved to fish, and hunt. He especially loved deer hunting on our home farm acres. Joe and Barb enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Sons of Norway.

Joe is survived by his 5 children: Dori (Bill) Jensen, West Salem WI;  Wendy (Ed) Nowak, Elysian MN; Brian (Becca) Solberg, Hartland MN; Trudy Drugg (Tom Arneson), West Salem, WI; Daryl Solberg (Vickie Bair), Minnesota Lake, MN. Grandchildren: Jeremy (Susie) Jensen, Emily (Michael) Pollard, Grady (Elisabeth) Jensen, Molly (Zach) Bidman, Dani (Chad) Youngberg, Leslie (Joe) Vike, Marty (Cary) Smith, Nick (Laura) Smith, Maggie (Ryan) Tucker. 22 Great grandchildren and 1 due in March. Also surviving  sister-in-lay, Jane Crowe.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife Barb (May 2025). Parents: Joseph, Sr and Alma Solberg, Parents in law, Ralph and Luella Crowe. His and Barb's siblings: Palmer Solberg, Roger (Cathy) Solberg, Ronald (Arlene) Crowe, Norma (Sheldon Swenson) (Jim Robinson), Eunice (Merv) Wagner, Wesley Crowe, Wayne (Nancy) Crowe and, son in law. Dan Drugg (Oct, 2015)

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 186, New Richland MN 56072. Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting with arrangements.