Johannes “Joe” Jacob Freese, 88, of Austin, Minn., died Saturday morning, Dec. 10, 2011, at his home in Austin. He was born Aug. 3, 1923, in Red Rock Township, the son of Jakob and Trientje (Bikker) Freese.

He went to school in District 42 in Brownsdale, Minn. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church, Dexter, Minn.

He did carpenter work for his dad until he went to work for Hormel. On May 12, 1943, he went into the Army Air Force. He served in the European Theater in England. He returned home April 6, 1946.

On April 22, 1950, he married Edna E. Eggert at St. John’s Lutheran Church. To this union was born four children: Thomas, James, Sheryl and Lori. He retired from Hormel May 28, 1982, after 40 years.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Freese of Austin; children, James Freese of Lansdowne, Pa., Sheryl (Delwin) Root and Lori (Dallas) Lemmen all of Waseca; daughter-in-law, Karen Freese of Austin; sister-in-law, Rosemary Freese, eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his son, Thomas; parents, Jakob and Trientje Freese; seven brothers, Jake, John, Herman, George, Frank, Diedrich and Arnold Freese and three sisters, Theresa Nelson, Henrietta Freese and Siefer “Mick” Stark.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Rev. Tom Ogilvie, officiating. Interment will follow the service in Grandview Cemetery with military honors by the members of American Legion Post 91 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1216. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Casket bearers will be Adam Freese, Jared Freese, Jacob Lemmen, Kenny Freese, Barry Coughlin and Ward Freese.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.