CLICK HERE TO WATCH JOE'S MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Joe G. Malsam, 70, of Aberdeen, passed away Friday, December 15, 2017, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 21, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Barry Reuwsaat as celebrant.

Burial, with military honors, follows at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake service and Masonic rites beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church on Thursday.  

Friends may sign Joe’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Joe George Malsam was born September 27, 1947 to Alfanus and Caroline (Imberi) Malsam in Ipswich, SD.  He was raised on a farm near Hosmer, SD, where he attended country school until 7th grade.  In 1961, the family moved to Aberdeen and Joe attended Simmons Junior High School.  At a young age, Joe began working for Allen Hoffman, where he learned his lifelong trade as a carpenter, building homes in the Aberdeen area.

In 1968, Joe was drafted into the United States Army and attended basic training in Fort Lewis, Washington.  He was deployed to Vietnam in 1969 and was stationed in Quinn Yan.  Following his honorable discharge in 1970, Joe returned home to Aberdeen, where he continued his carpentry career.

Joe was united in marriage to Janet Casey on January 27, 1973 in Aberdeen.  This is where the couple made their home and Joe and his brother, Ray, started Malsam Construction.  He worked in the business until 2011, when he was forced to retire due to health issues.  Joe continued to reside in Aberdeen until the time of his death.

In Joe’s younger years, he enjoyed bowling and softball.  He especially loved car racing and was involved with his brother in it for years.  For the past 24 years, Joe continued his passion for car racing with his son. Joe was also very supportive of all the activities his grandchildren participated in and you could often find him transporting them to the various events.  Because of this, over the past few years, Joe gained much interest in new sports such as cross country, soccer, and hockey.

Joe was a proud Shriner, a current Legion and VFW member, and a former member of the Eagles Lodge in Aberdeen.

Grateful to have shared in Joe’s life are his children:  Shawn (Rebecca) Malsam and Shanna (Jeff) Hoven, both of Aberdeen; Janet’s daughter, Lisa Bader of Bismarck, ND, who was loved by Joe as his own; four grandchildren:  Jenna Zantow, Kallie Zantow, Wheeler Malsam and Tyra Hoven; his siblings:  Rose Jung of Sioux Falls, SD and Ray Malsom, Al Malsam, Adam (Yvonne) Malsam, Madonna (Roger) Heintzman, Vivian Malsam and Dan (Penny) Malsam, all of Aberdeen; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Janet Malsam, who passed away on November 1, 2014; his parents, Alfanus and Caroline Malsam; and one brother, Peter Malsom.