Joseph William Mayer
Tuesday, May 14, 1935
Date of Death:
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Age:
83 years old
Visitation
Date: Friday June 29, 2018
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Madonna Towers [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Saturday June 30, 2018
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Saturday June 30, 2018
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Tuesday, May 14, 1935
Date of Death:
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Age:
83 years old
Tuesday, May 14, 1935
Date of Death:
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Age:
83 years old
Joseph William Mayer
Joseph William Mayer, longtime and long-ago teacher and coach at Lourdes High School, died peacefully on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at Madonna Towers Skilled Nursing Facility.
Born in Waterloo, Iowa, to J. Urban and Marie Klein Mayer on May 14, 1935, he was the first of seven children. They moved to a farm when Joe began high school. There he learned how to milk a cow and clean a chicken coop, and he drove his siblings and neighbors to school at age 14. He excelled in sports and soloed in school choirs, but everyone was relieved that he put down his violin after a month of lessons.
He graduated from Loras College, Dubuque in 1957. During his four years on the Loras football team, they stopped once to practice while on the road, and that was at Rochester Lourdes. He had planned post graduate studies, but when he was told about an opening for teacher and coach at Lourdes, he remembered his good impression of the school and city, applied, and found his passion in teaching.
One of the subjects he taught at Lourdes was Business Law. The word ‘infant’ is defined as one who is under the age of majority, and he relished calling his students infants. He was known to have walks (and talks) around the school campus with students in trouble, and made infamous appearances on the roof of the school in order to catch school skippers.
During the summers, he and three other teachers, all named Gene, opened Genes and Joe’s Golf Center, a golf range and mini golf. The teachers were equipment-savvy, owning a ball picker strapped to the front of a vintage truck. Joe’s children and some of their cousins drove around in circles practicing their driving skills and yes, mishaps occurred.
He is remembered: enjoying camping trips and sitting around bonfires at night, reading “The Littlest Angel” on Christmas Eve before opening presents, and leisurely riding his bike while smoking his pipe on family outings. Often he was heard saying “Don’t have fun!” to his Grands. They learned to tease back with “We’re having fun, Grandpa.”
One of his greatest summer pastimes was gardening early each morning smoking his pipe “to keep away the mosquitos.” When the plot became smaller, it still produced large quantities of healthy food.
His greatest challenge has been living with the results of his stroke in 2011. He fought it, defied it, and finally is freed of it.
Joe met Elaine Mraz from Cedar Rapids, Iowa while they were in college. They married on June 13, 1959. He is survived by Elaine; his children, Teresa (Brian Fristensky) of Winnipeg, Joseph (Molly Keogh) of San Diego, Rebecca (Steven Hughes) of Cedarburg, WI, Andrew (Ann Donohue) of Minneapolis, Mary (John Weidner) of Edina, Jennifer (Lee Greseth) of Plymouth, MN, Sarah of Denver, and Benjamin of Grafton, WI; grandchildren, Connor and Eamon Redpath, Kelli and Joe Mayer, Jackson Maniaci, Patricia, Caroline and Tim Mayer, John and Ellie Weidner, Morgan and Luke Greseth, and Sophie and Stella Bird; and his siblings, Lawrence (Jan Hancock) of Davenport, Richard (Jane Royer) of Waterloo, Mary (Bill Jenney) of Brooklyn Center, and Anthony (Linda Stuzynski) of Omaha; also his sister-in-law, Barbara Mayer; and brother-in-law, Michael Kress; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him to the next life are his parents; his brother, Jack; and sister, Teresa.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2018 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation with family will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29th at Madonna Towers, and also from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Joe has donated his body to the Mayo Medical School.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Joe Mayer Scholarship at Lourdes High School, or your favorite charity.
We are grateful for the care and compassion that we all received from the staff at Madonna Towers, and for the understanding and support from Seasons Hospice the past weeks.
Thanks for the memories, Joe. You continue to put a smile in our hearts.
Condolences
The family of Joseph William Mayer has received the following condolences.
We enjoyed knowing Joe, a very interesting and caring man. Our sympathy to Elaine and their family. Berny and Nina Saletel
I feel privileged to have known this man. I was not just a student, I worked in the front office. I was lucky to find through him that teachers had thoughts, opinions, feelings, lives outside of their role as instructors. I also learned that they truly cared about each of us.
Elaine,
I graduated from Loras in 1966 and came to Rochester that June. I was a close friend of Chuck Butler's and I know you and Joe were, too. Chuck really appreciated his friendship and commonality with Joe's views. I want to extend my sympathy to you and your family as you feel the loss of his physical presence.
Sincerely,
Bill Kleis
to the entire Mayer family, my heartfelt sympathies to you all. It’s been a tough journey these past few years. Joe has finally crossed the finish line. May he find comfort in the Lords arms. My thoughts and prayers for you all
Donna
Joe Mayer (w. his wonderful wife & life partner Elaine) was one of those memorable people who make a lasting impression on all whose paths cross theirs. My wife & I knew Joe not as (so many others in MN did) "Coach," but as a late-in-life activist for misc. progressive causes. He brought to them the same passion which he gave to his sports teams; and freely shared his strongly held views, tempered w. his abundant wisdom. Even after he was felled by a stroke, the light continued to burn, albeit quietly, behind Joe's knowing smile and kind eyes. Our sincere sympathy to Elaine & Family for a gentle soul who will be greatly missed. Peace dear friend.
Mayer Family,
My condolences on Joe's passing. I have such fond memories of time spent with you all in my childhood while we were neighbors, including watching Lourdes game films in the house with your dad. I can still smell the pipe all these years later! In high school as coach, teacher and vice principal he instilled the values of respect, hard work, and discipline that I carry with me still today. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I celebrate Joe's arrival in heaven.
Kevin
So sorry to hear that Joe Mayer is no longer on this planet. How appropriate that the photo chosen is Mr. Mayer smoking a pipe. He did so much for LHS. I recall when he supported modular scheduling for LHS and there wasn't sufficient funding for it. Mr. Mayer spent personal time ensuring that LHS adopted it so as to provide more options to the students. Also had some wonderful discussions on religion and faith. He was very open-minded and respectful during these classroom discussions. Many years later, I bumped into Joe and his wife at St. Joan of Arc (SJA) in Minneapolis, MN which was considered a renegade church with focus on peace and social justice issues. His heart was in the right place. To his wife, children, grandchildren and dear friends, I'm sorry for this great loss in your lives.
Our sympathy to Joe's family what a great teacher and mentor.May he rest in peace. Prayers for you and Joe.
Dear Mayer Family,
Condolences on the loss of Joe, who had a great influence on me and many others as football coach, teacher of business law that inspired me to think of law as a career, and example in so many ways. I remember his leading the team in the prayer of St. Francis before most games--he was in instrument of peace and in his death he is born to eternal life.
Warm regards,
Tim Marx--LHS 1975
One of the numerous Dickhut students you coached, taught, and gave a legacy of Catholic and community lifestyle examples. You are remembered and will be missed.
Dear Elaine and family,
Roy and I send our condolences on hearing of Joe’s death. We so much enjoyed our visits with you when you lived on 55th Street and then with Joe when he was at Madonna Towers\. And of course, I have many memories of Joe at Lourdes from 60-64.
I just got home from the hospital today after a 12 day stay and we won’t be able to come down for the services. Wishing you peace and comfort at your time of grieving. We will remember all of you, and Joe, in our prayers.
Blessings and love,
Annie Riley and Roy Otto
We are very sorry to hear about Joe's passing. I grew up at St. Mary's with the Mayer family, and Lorne and I were in the same class. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Bob & Judy Dungan
My sympathy to all the members of the Mayer Family, immediate and extended. I first met Joe when I taught and coached at Austin Pacelli, Austin.Minnesota. Joe was an exceptional coach/teacher and human being. Bring you A Game when you competed against Joe Mayer teams. God Bless.
A great man of honesty and integrity. I took his business law and accounting classes, they were my favorites. I skipped school once-he caught us. May you have the best of lawn chairs and binoculars in heaven. God Bless Mayer family, he will be missed.
Thank you Coach Meyer! I will forever have Joe in my memory for one particular line: "Your mind quits before your body has to" So many times has that line come to me when I needed a little push. RIP
My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Mayer Family. Joe was Truly a Lourdes Legend !!! Thank you Joe for watching over us during our years at Lourdes.
Joe was a wonderful person and dear friend. I had the privilege to teach five of his kids. May the Lord bless you Elaine and your family in this difficult time. I always had great respect for Joe. He was great teacher and an outstanding football coach at Lourdes. God Bless you Joe.
To the Mayer Family,
Thank you for sharing your spouse/dad Joe with us at Madonna Living Community. He is truly a legend hearing some of the stories about Joe
Sandy J. Molenda; Madonna Living Community Foundation
Take a victory lap Joe for the race you have finally finished...well done. You will long be in my Lourdes/Rochester memories for all you taught on the field and off...
But I will also carry Elaine in those memories, , for her presence in the school, in the stands, in her home, and always at Joe's sides these last years...she truly, the epitome of a
stoic , gentle, woman. My thoughts and thanks for you and your family
Jon and Barb Hrabe
Mayer family: sorry to hear of your news of Joe passing. I didn't know Joe, but I knew he was a great football coach.
Sincerest sympathies to Elaine and family. I am speechless except to same thanks for being a great teacher and mentor. RIP.
My deepest sympathy to Joe's family. I never met him but know much he meant to his family that I've known for many years.
Our sympathy to your family. I know you will miss him dearly. A great person.
God Bless,
Pork and Lil Bartholomew