Joseph 'Joe' Peter Folk

Joseph 'Joe' Peter Folk

Joseph Peter Folk, 80, of Havre, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Mont., of natural causes. His memorial Mass will be 1 p. m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, at the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, with Father Daniel Wathen officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. Memorials in Joseph's honor may be made to the St. Jude Parish Center. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Joe was born March 14, 1932, in Yakima, Wash., to Peter and Margaret (Buckmeier) Folk. He moved with his family when he was a young boy to Havre, and the family eventually settled in Kremlin, where they operated the Folk family farm. He enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1955 and was honorably discharged in December 1958. After his service, he returned to the family farm in Kremlin. He married Maxine Drong Sept. 26, 1959, in Havre, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Joe went to work for Northern Montana College for 30 years as a custodian, retiring in 1998. Together they raised their family in Kremlin, and in 1984 Joe and Maxine moved to Havre.

Joe was a member of St. Jude Thaddeus and sang in the choir for a short time. He enjoyed family and watching television, relaxing, fishing at the lower Beaver Creek Lake and driving to the Bear Paw Mountains. He enjoyed planting the garden and working in his yard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michael Folk in 1978; and one brother, Louis Folk; and three sisters, Catherine Drong, Eva Purdy and Lena Bradford.

Joe is survived by his wife of 53 years, Maxine Folk of Havre; his three children, Beth (David) George of Fountain Hill, Ariz. ; Kathy Folk of Missoula, Mont. ; and Tim Folk of Havre; his sister, Frances Paladie of Yakima, Wash. ; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.