Jacob Joe Sleeter

Joe was born on April 12, 1953, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Wilbert and Geraldine (Schuirmann) Sleeter. He was raised in Homestead, Wis., and attended the Hillcrest and Florence schools.

On Sept. 6, 1975, he married Alene Soderberg at St. Mary Catholic Church in Florence. Joe and Alene lived most of their married lives in Fern, Wis., where they raised their three daughters.

He worked at Lakeshore for many years and then at Customer Metal Fabrication. He played softball with his brothers for many years and made many longtime friends.

Joe loved working in the woods — especially cutting firewood every fall — playing cribbage, playing poker with his family, going hunting, and always watching the Packers and the Cubs. Watching Jeopardy and Judge Judy were a must in Joe’s daily routine, as was watching 60 Minutes each Sunday night. He was known to be very content with being a homebody.

Joe loved his pets. He enjoyed always feeding the birds — especially the hummingbirds — and feeding the deer which he had special names for. He had a great sense of humor, and gave nicknames to many of his family and friends.

Joe truly loved his family and grandchildren. He really enjoyed kidding around with them and they were all special to him.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 48 years, Alene “Stout” Sleeter; daughters, Tracy (TJ) McCarthy, Amy (Brent) Wojnowski, Suzanne (Dominic) Cherubini; grandchildren, Mackenzie McCarthy, Michael McCarthy, Jacob Couillard, Cayden Cherubini, Tatum Cherubini, Olivia Wojnowski and Vincent Wojnowski; brothers, William (Halsey) Sleeter, Tim (Linda) Sleeter, Doug (Lori) Sleeter, Edward (Jackie) Sleeter, Jon (Erica) Sleeter, and his special and close brother, Robert “Hot Rod” Sleeter; sisters, Cheryl (Gary) Lundquist, Debra Walker, Susan Torres, Lynn (Ray) Marinconz and Jackie (Paul) Hendricks; sisters-in-law, Deanna Hughes, Bernie Sjoquist and Brenda Mohr; brother-in-law, Jack Leppanen, and close brother-in-law, Warren “Bucko” Soderberg; very special lifelong buddy, Don (Bonnie) Nichols of Merril, Wis.; special companion, Kitty Kitty; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brothers, Daniel Sleeter and Terry Sleeter.

A celebration of life will be held in May with details to be announced at a later date.

From his grandchildren:

“Our grandpa always demonstrated strength and resilience. He fought his sickness with a very positive attitude and wanted to get better for himself and his family. Towards the end, he still continued to make us laugh often and taught us special things. Grandpa, you are loved greatly and touched the hearts of many who had the opportunity to meet you. You will be missed and thought of everyday by all of us. We all love you very much, Our King.”

Friends may leave condolences and tributes for Joe’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Florence to honor Joe’s legacy of life.