Josephine Marie Werder

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Josephine M. Werder, age 97, of Willmar, passed away Wednesday, August 12, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by her celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery. www.petersonbrothers.com

Josephine “Joey” Marie Werder was born on February 11, 1929, at her grandparent’s home in the Raymond area to Louis and Rose (Card) DuHoux. She was baptized at the Willmar Methodist Church and was confirmed as an adult at Redeemer Lutheran Church. She attended grades 1-8 at District #45 Country School and graduated from Willmar High School in 1947.

Joey met her husband Donald Werder (when he returned from the Army Air Force) when a junior in high school. They were united in marriage on July 19, 1947, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with three children, Larry, Peggy, and Thomas. They shared 53 years of marriage always living in Willmar until Don passed away on October 29, 2000. Prior to her residence at Bethesda Grand, Joey lived several years at Independence Place and Bethesda North Point, where she made many friends.

Joey was employed by the Willmar Public Schools at the senior high school nurse’s office and then as the attendance secretary. Following retirement, she continued to work part-time at various schools for a total of 41 years. Joey and Don spent over 15 winters at their “Snowbird” home in Arizona, where they met and made lifelong friendships.

Joey was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, was active as Past Altar Guild member, release class, bible school, greeter, kitchen committee and as a Brownie Leader. Joey also active with the American Legion Auxiliary since 1953, Rice Hospital volunteer in the gift shop and member of the Rice Hospital Auxiliary and served for many years as an election judge.

Joey enjoyed sewing, gardening, theatre, baking cookies (especially for her grandchildren), attending all their basketball games, gymnastics meets, dance recitals, playing with her great grandchildren and going out for lunch with her friends. The entire Werder family enjoyed many good times at Games Lake where they had a cabin for many years until the children purchased their own homes at a lake.

She is survived by two children, Peggy (and Luther) Dykema of Willmar and Tom (and Susan) Werder of Litchfield; a daughter-in-law, Christy Werder of Osakis; eleven grandchildren, Paul (and Nichole) Werder, Andrew (and Jen) Werder, Jeffrey Werder, Rebecca Olson, Merri Anne (and Nate) Croatt, Jill (and James) Arentson, Chelsey (and Joseph) Schammel, Matthew (and Andrea) Werder, Benjamin (and Mindy) Werder, Peter (and Sophie) Wittrock and Dr. Ashley (and Cody) Wittrock; twenty-one great grandchildren, Kaelee, Lauren, Jaxon, Laeken, Waverly, Grace, Jeffrey Jr., Anthony, Jaden, Allyson, Lilian, Elise, Dane, Silas, Meredith, Bruno, Luka, Zeke, Zion, Peter Jr. and Charlie and one great great grandchildren, Greyson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; one son, Larry in 2023; and seven siblings, Jean, Jeanette, Jake, Jimmie, Marion, Mae Rose and Wayne.