Joseph Volz Obituary

Joseph “Joey” William Volz, age 85, of North Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025. Born in River Falls, WI on March 14, 1940, Joe spent his early years in North Hudson, WI and St. Croix Beach, MN, and graduated from Stillwater (MN) High School in 1958. A gifted multi-sport athlete, he excelled in hockey and carried that competitive spirit throughout his life.

Following high school, Joe proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961, stationed primarily in Germany during the Cold War. After returning home, he married Kathleen (Randall) Volz, and together they raised three sons: Mark, Matthew, and Patrick. 

Joe began his professional career managing the Tempo department store in Moorhead, MN, where the family moved in 1967. In the early 1970s, he transitioned into a successful career in sales, working for Gambles Hardware and later Our Own Hardware. His sales territory spanned the upper Midwest, including parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. Summers often found the family on the road with him, exploring small towns and staying in motels — some with pools, some without — creating cherished memories along the way. 

Joe was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, and hunting. He especially enjoyed fishing trips to Lake of the Woods in Canada and deer hunting with his sons and nephews. The family had a cabin on Lake Munson near Detroit Lakes, MN and spent many summer days there fishing, boating and listening to the cry of the loons. Joe was also a big Minnesota Vikings fan and passed that love of the team onto his boys. In his later years, after returning to North Hudson in 1991, Joe found joy in his faithful Irish Setter A-You, driving around in his Corvette, golfing, gardening, reading, and feeding the squirrels near his apartment on Lake Mallalieu, where he had many friends. He was a generous supporter of charities and was known for the many calendars and notepads he received in return.

 Joe was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen Edith Volz; his second wife, Corinne (Dahl) Volz; his parents, Paul and Margaret Volz; his beloved sister, Judy LeRoux; mother-in-law Eileen Larson; brothers-in-law Thomas LeRoux and Vernon Kusilek; and sisters-in-law Gail Volz, Maggie Lopez, and Betsy Kusilek. He is survived by his brother, David Volz; his sons: Mark Volz and his wife Natalie; Matthew Volz and his wife Amanda; and Patrick Volz and his wife Michelle; grandchildren Riley, Ashleigh, Errol, Edith, Dominique, and Danielle; and many dear nephews and nieces. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at O'Connell Funeral Home in Hudson, Wisconsin. Visitation will be 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, with refreshments and shared memories of Joe from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. A private graveside interment will be held afterward at Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Hudson Food Cupboard (c/o St. Patrick’s Church, 1500 Vine Street, Hudson, WI 54016 or at hudsonfoodcupboard.org).

Joe will be remembered for his warm heart, quiet strength, generosity, and the deep love he had for his family and friends. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the memories he leaves behind.