Joseph J. Whalen

Joseph J. Whalen, 90, of Mason City, IA, died Tuesday, March 29, 2016. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 AM, on Friday, April 1, 2016, at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams, with Rev. John Gossman officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:30 PM followed by a Rosary Service on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church.

Joseph was born October 9, 1925, in Blue Earth, MN, the son of Leo J. and Agnes F. (Sandschulte) Whalen. At age 1, his family moved to Mason City. Joseph graduated from Holy Family and continued his education at Mason City Junior College where he played football. In 1943, he proudly served his country as a Frogman for UDT 21 (Underwater Demolition Team) in the U.S. Navy during WWII until his honorable discharge in 1946. Joseph married Marion J. Eilers on June 4, 1949, at Holy Family Catholic Church. He worked for Interstate Power as a Line Foreman for 39 years until his retirement in 1987. Joseph was a loving husband, father and grandfather who had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Vikings. He also enjoyed swimming at the YMCA for the past 40+ years. He had a great love for music and dancing and attended many dances at the Surf Ballroom in his younger years. He was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, American Legion, VFW and the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) for 65+ years.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 66 years: Marion Whalen of Mason City; 5 children: Rick Whalen and wife Beth of Latimer, IA, Jay Whalen and wife Judy of Hubbard, NE, Jean Alexander and husband Doug of Deer, AR, Tim Whalen of Mason City, and Ann Campbell and husband David of Eden Prairie, MN; 13 grandchildren: Joseph, Elizabeth, Eric, Sara, Katie, Jonathan, Gabrielle, Michelle, Arielle, Rayna, Brynn, Logan and Cassandra; 13 great grandchildren; and 1sister: Patricia Haensch of Mason City. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends and great neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and 1 sister: Joan Dehnert.