JOSEPH MCBRIDE

Born and raised in Fort Dodge, Joe and his wife of 66 years, Betty, made their home here after his 23-year service to the United States Air Force.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, along with children Pam (Greg), Steve, Deb Brown (Kenny), Joe, Jr., (Rachel) and John (Brenda).

He also leaves behind grandchildren Adam (Tanya), A.J., Andy, Zachary, Becca Archer (Micah), Nick, Sadie, Ashley and Noah along with great-granddaughters Maddison, Renezmay and Haley. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who loved him like a father.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Hazel, an infant daughter and all 15 of his siblings.

Joseph McBride was born March 11, 1932 in Fort Dodge. He attended school here before enlisting in the US Army at the age of 15. After his stint in the Army, he continued to serve his country in the US Air Force, which took him all around the country and the world.

Joe first met Betty at a USO function in Ohio. In a chance encounter they both wanted the last of the cookies. She offered to share a cookie with him and a romance blossomed. Joe would enjoy Betty’s “fabulous” peanut butter cookies for nearly seven decades.

He was united in marriage to Betty Lou Walker on Sept. 20, 1952, at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio. They lived in several different places during his time in the military. Their children were born in Dayton, Ohio; Chelmsford, England; Clovis, N.M.; and Phoenix, Ariz.

After retiring from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant, Joe and his family returned to Fort Dodge in 1971. He worked several different jobs, mostly notable at Mead Containers in Fort Dodge and then, after returning to college, he enjoyed a successful career at Webster County Human Services, where his passion and drive to help others was on display every day.

Joe retired from Human Services in 1997 to be a full-time grandfather, by far his favorite job title.

His commitment to his family and education was never more apparent than when he returned to night school at Iowa Central Community College and then Buena Vista College to earn a degree in Human Services, all while still working full-time during the day.

Joe was a long-time member of Riverside and Epworth United Methodist Churches, teaching Sunday School for many years at Epworth. He was also a member of the VFW.

A visitation will be held Thursday Oct. 4, from 5-7 p.m. at Gunderson Funeral Home in Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be held at Gunderson Funeral Home at 10 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 5, with internment to follow at North Lawn Cemetery with full military rites. A luncheon will follow at the VFW in Fort Dodge.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to be left to the Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge.