Joseph C. Linnertz, 71, Bismarck, passed away June 24, 2012, at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck. A prayer service will be held at the Eastgate Funeral Service Chapel, 2302 East Divide, Bismarck, for family members at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2012. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life ceremony at the Bismarck Municipal Country Club, 930 N. Griffin Street in Bismarck, at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.
Born to Marget and William Linnertz in Minot, N.D., on June 15, 1941, Joe attended Minot schools and graduated from Surrey High School in 1959. He graduated from Minot State University and received his Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of North Dakota.
Joe worked for the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Park Service, the Boeing Company, and the Halliburton Company in the 1960s. He also taught English in Tioga and Bismarck Public Schools. In 1969, he became Assistant Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under the Office of Governor William Guy. In 1973, he purchased the Velva Journal, the Drake Register, and Ambrose Progress weekly newspapers in McHenry County.
While in Velva, Joe served as a member of the City Commission, Chairman of the Economic Development Board, Chairman of the Nursing Home Board, and Chairman of the Velva Housing Authority. He was instrumental in receiving federal grants to build the nursing home and low income housing, and assisted in securing the site for the Oilseed Crushing Plant.
In 1985, Joe began his career with the Department of Public Instruction, in which he served in several capacities, including Deputy and Acting State Librarian. He was instrumental in advancing school technology throughout North Dakota schools. He retired in 2004.
Joe married Irish Igoe Linden in 1988. They enjoyed traveling, working on home projects, built a cabin on Lake Sakakawea, and recently bought a home in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Joe was a great family man and is greatly loved and admired by his grandchildren, Alexandra, Joseph, Jake and Josh Pikarski of Bismarck, and Kase Linden, Erie, Colo.
He is also survived by: his wife, Irish; children, Anni Linden, Bismarck, N.D., and Michael Linden, Erie, Colo.; brother, Stanley Linnertz (Nancy), Berthoud, Colo., brother, David (Nora) Linnertz, Battlement Mesa, Colo.; and sister, Glenda (Bruce) Lovdahl, Tioga, N.D., as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorials: May be given to the Bismarck Lions Club, P.O. Box 2262, Bismarck, N.D. 58502.
Go to (www.eastgatefuneral.com) to share memories of Joe and sign the online guestbook.