Obituary

Joe was born on November 12, 1999, in St. Louis Park, MN, to Tom and Kori (Pottratz) Crippes. He attended school in the Elk River ISD and Fridley ISD until 2015 when his family moved to Aledo, TX. Joe graduated from Aledo High School in 2018 and had plans to join the military, but those plans were not meant to be. He loved lifting weights and working out, which became a passion for him for several years, earning him the nickname “Big Joe.” His fishing exploits, Lego building, and “Call of Duty” skills were legendary. Joe was very quiet but had a wonderful sense of humor and common sense that made him wise beyond his years. When he heard that there was a proposal for “free college,” his response was, “Why would I want to spend the rest of my life paying for everyone else’s college; why can’t they just pay for their own college if they want to go like I will?” Joe was painfully shy but often served as an altar boy and lector at Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Princeton/Zimmerman, MN.

Joe had a big heart and was loved by all who knew him. He will be missed terribly by his family and friends who will forever remember his smirk and contagious laugh. Joe was always on the move, his mind was always working, and he recently took great interest in the stock market and spent hours researching companies and learning how to invest his money. There was never a dull moment when Joe was around!

There is always an aching sadness for family and friends left behind when a life is cut short. So much potential is lost: future plans, career, marriage, and family. This is most definitely the case with Joe. Remember to love and cherish everyone in your life and make sure they know how you feel, as you never know when they will be called home to the Father.

Joe is survived by his parents, Tom and Kori of Aledo, TX; sister, Rachael of Elk River, MN; brother, Jacob (Jacqui) of Okinawa, Japan; sister, Paige of Aledo, TX; grandmother, Patricia Pottratz of Zimmerman, MN; and grandparents, Lloyd and Judy Pottratz of Davenport, IA. There are aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends all over the Midwest who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Gib and Eunice Crippes.