Harold Joos

Harold John Joos, 94, of Crosby, ND, passed away on November 26, 2016, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck, ND. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at Touchmark on West Century, 1000 West Century Ave., Bismarck. Harold was born July 24, 1922, on a farm in Divide County, ND, to Jacob and Emma (Schumann) Joos. Harold finally found the love of his life and married Vivian (Kloster) in 1975 in Crosby. Most of their married life was spent in Crosby until 2011, at which time they moved to Bismarck due to health reasons. Harold served in the US Army Air Force during WWII and was honorably discharged in November of 1945. He was a Staff Sergeant and a member of the 475th Fighter Group, 433rd Squadron attached to Headquarters for 2½ years. He was in the Philippine Islands, Leyte Campaign, Biak Island, New Guinea, Clark Field in Luzon, and Island of Le Shiama where Ernie Pyle died. After the war, he volunteered and spent one month in Seoul, Korea before coming home and being discharged in 1945. He received the Army Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Asiatic Pacific Campaign battle stars, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and the Philippines Liberation Medal, one Campaign Star and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war, Harold took over the family farm that was homesteaded by his grandfather and was a full-time grain farmer within Burke and Divide Counties, ND. Harold was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Crosby, Moose Lodge, American Legion Post #75, and Crosby Senior Citizens. He was also actively involved in various other organizations in the Crosby community during his lifetime. Harold loved to golf at the Crosby Country Club, shake dice for breakfast at the Red Rooster, go to shows in Branson, bowl, and drive all over the USA to spend time with family/friends, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Harold is survived by his wife, Vivian; step-daughter, Diane Johnson; grandchildren, Dana, Erin, and Corey Johnson; great-grandchildren, Katie and Hailey Johnson; niece, Cheryl Cunningham; and nephews, Robert Schlueter and Gary Jaksoniak. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Willard Joos; and sisters, Evelyn LeSueur and Helen Jaksoniak.