Obituary of Joseph Thomas Taylor

Joe was born on the family Heritage Farm July 6, 1944 the son of Francis and Dorothy (Rea) Taylor and lived there nearly his entire life. He graduated from Holy Cross H.S. in 1963 and did his training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. and served as a member of the 389th Army Reserve in Dubuque for 6 years. Joe married Karolyn Rose Gassmann, a classmate for all 12 years, on February 23, 1979 in Holy Cross, Iowa. Joe was in partnership with his brother John for 45 years in farm and construction. His daughters were his pride and joy. Joe enjoyed tractor pulls, blackjack, and riding the 4-wheeler with his dog, Sydney. He loved the family farm and took pride in his farming skills. Joe always had a quick smile and laugh, and enjoyed meeting new people. Joe and Karolyn enjoyed their 6 years of Florida winter vacations. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, the National Rifle Association, Army Reserves, Scherrman-Peterson American Legion Post 656, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Land Improvement Contractors (ILIC), Dubuque County Eminent Domain Compensation Commission, Holy Cross Athletic Club Board and Holy Cross Parish Council. Joe is survived by his wife, Karolyn, daughters: Amanda of Des Moines, IA. and Alexis of Washington D.C., five brothers, Ray (Joan) of Dubuque, Charles (Lois) of Dyersville, IA, John (Barb) of Holy Cross, IA, Jim of Center Junction, IA and Paul (Sue) of Zwingle, IA; five sisters, Mary (Wayne) Kahle of Hazel Green, WI, Helen (John) Thomas of San Francisco, CA, Jane (Ken) Rausch of Knoxville, TN, Bridget (Robert) Kluesner of Little Canada, MN, and Patricia (Mike) Thies of Peosta, IA, sisters-in-law: Mary Taylor of Oviedo, FL. Jeanine (Jerry) Koch of Dyersville, IA, Marilyn (Francis) Errthum of Guttenberg, IA, and Marchelle (Phil) Kluesner of Epworth, IA; brothers-in-law: Loras (friend Carolyn Pasquien) Gassmann of Olympia, WA, and Stan (Jane) Gassmann of Dubuque, IA, 40 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Dorothy Taylor, and a brother, Frank Taylor and sister-in-law, Marie Taylor. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2011 at Kramer Funeral Home in Holy Cross where the Scherrman-Peterson American Legion Post 656 will gather at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Holy Cross with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Raymond Burkle will officiate with Rev. Marvin Bries concelebrating.