Joseph Weis
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Joseph Charles Weis, 88, of Rochester, MN passed away peacefully January 31, 2021 with family by his
side.
Joe was born February 12, 1932 in Rochester, MN to John and Cecilia (Mueller) Weis. After graduating
from Lourdes High School in Rochester, he completed the Architectural Drafting and Estimating course
at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.
Joe's father started a modest cabinet shop in 1939 called John Weis & Sons. In 1952, Joe and his brother Eugene took over the cabinet shop and in 1960 changed the name to Weis Builders Inc.
In 1971, Joe built his first Affordable Housing project and his passion for Affordable Housing continued
for the remainder of his life. After this first project, he formed Joseph Development Company which
continued his passion for Affordable Housing. He always said, "I want to die with my boots on", and that
is what he did. At age 88, he was still working on Affordable Housing projects.
From early on, the community was especially important to Joe. He was active in Civic Associations, Trade Associations, and the Republican Party. He served as President of the Rochester Area Chamber of
Commerce, the Rochester Area Builders, the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association, and the Associated
General Contractors of Minnesota, just to name a few.
Because of all the work Joe did with these organizations, his list of awards is lengthy and just a few are
mentioned here: Entrepreneur of the Year from Dunwoody, Lifetime Achievement Award from the
Rochester Area Builders, Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Builders Association of Minnesota and
the AGC of Minnesota, and the "Medal of Honor" from the Mayor of Rochester.
Joe built a lifetime of relationships who will remember his one-of-a-kind personality and his big cigars.
Joe is survived by his wife of 67 years, Darlene; his sons, Erik (Cathy) and Jay (Terri); his sister, Helen
Gathje; seven grandchildren, Chad Weis, Bradley Weis, Chris Stokka, Jenny Jo Stokka, Haley Weis,
Hunter Weis, and Grant Weis; two great grandchildren, Teddy Jo Weis and Joseph Stokka; and ex-
daughter in-law, Sue Weis; and sister in-law, Opal Weis. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Clara Yerke, Mary Huinker, and Joan Carlisle; two brothers, Leo Weis and Eugene Weis; his daughter, Mary Jo Stokka (Weis); and his grandson, John Weis.
A family only private funeral service will be held, February 5, 2021 in the chapel at the Co-Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist in Rochester with Rev. Msgr. Gerald A. Mahon officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mayo Clinic online at
https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donate MC or mailed to Department of Development, Mayo Clinic,
200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com