Joseph J. Black

August 6, 1924-August 4, 2015

Joseph John Black, 90, of Knox, died Tuesday August 4, 2015, at Trinity Medical Center in Minot.

Joe was born on the family farm south of Berwick, ND on August 6, 1924, to Joseph F. Black and Lena (Sitter) Black. He was educated in the Berwick public schools where he excelled in music and playing pranks on his fellow classmates. He stayed on the farm helping his parents until 1945 when he entered the United States Army. He proudly served his country in Germany until the end of 1946 when he was honorably discharged. He married the love of his life, Elsie Brick on October 20, 1947 in Crary, ND a life they shared for nearly 68 years. For the next three years, Joe and Elsie lived in Minot.  While Elsie taught school, Joe worked at Sears during the winter months and farmed near Bantry, ND the rest of the year. In 1951, Joe, Elsie, and a new daughter, Joline, moved to the farm in Knox, ND. Cindy was born into the family in 1953. Joe worked the farm and raised cattle until the time of his death.

Joe was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Knox, where he served on the parish council on several occasions. During his life he served on many local boards, such as, Knox Township Board, York Farmers Union Board, Rugby Community Concert Series Board, American Legion Post 226, the Knights of Columbus of Rugby (where he was honored to be called a 4th Degree Knight). He was a leader in the state as one of the first No-till farmers, and was proud of his service on the Minot office of the NDSU experiment station. In 1978 Joe and Elsie were recognized by the NDSU Alumni Association as a couple “who really make North Dakota and Western Minnesota go.” In 2011, Joe was one of the last of North Dakota’s veterans to take the Honor Flight to Washington DC with one of his very best friends, Tommy Moeller.

He will be greatly missed by: his wife, Elsie; daughters, Joline Black (Steven Parker), Denver, CO; Cynthia (Kevin) Neuharth, Minot; grandchildren, Jared (Beth) Neuharth, Shakopee, MN, Cassandra Neuharth and fiancee Benjamin Edwards; great grandchildren, Leightyn and Jack Neuharth, Shakopee, MN; sisters, Theresa (Dick) Gehl, Dallas, TX, Monica Mills, Sitka, AK; brother Kenneth Black, Denver, CO; sisters-in-law, Marie Black, Towner, Jeanette Black, Phoenix, AZ; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  He is preceded in death by: his parents; sisters, Johanna Amon, Katherine Broderick, Regina King; brothers Fabian, Leo, and Leonard.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 8^th, 2015 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Knox with burial in the church cemetery.  Father Tom Graner, Celebrant.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with Rosary, vigil prayers and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the church in Knox on Saturday.