Joe Morrissette, Sr.

Joe Morrissette, Sr., passed from this world to join his Savior on September 3, 2019, at the age of 83. His battle with lung cancer was brief, and his family is thankful he was spared a prolonged battle with the disease. He passed away peacefully at home with his wife of 59 years by his side.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Friday, September 6, at Charity Lutheran Church, 120 Aspen Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Scott Bauman officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Thursday, September 5, at Charity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

He was born on June 1, 1936, to Mederic and Laurianna Morrissette of Manchester, NH. At the age of 23, he met the love of his life, LaVerne Pekas. They were married on February 24, 1960, in LaVerne’s hometown of Mott, ND. Joe proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps for 21 years. Throughout his military service, he was stationed in six foreign countries, and served one tour in Vietnam. In 1974, he retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of captain and began a new career at Melroe Company in Bismarck. He worked there for 25 years and served as District Sales Manager of Agricultural Products for Canada and the western United States. He valued hard work and dedication and exhibited this in his military and civilian careers. Although he entered the military at an early age, he was committed to advancing his education later in life, and received Bachelor’s degrees from both North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, ND, and the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.

Throughout his life he maintained his Marine Corps discipline by keeping fit and active. For most of his life he was an avid runner. Although he gave up his passion for running in his later years, he continued an early morning regimen of walking and exercise up until the past few months.

Above all else, it was his love and dedication to his family that left a legacy that will forever live in those he loved. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He rarely missed a sporting event, band concert or other event in which his grandchildren were involved. He was an important part of their lives, and he enjoyed being engaged in everything they did.

He was an avid reader of fiction, his Bible, and many daily devotionals, and a committed fan of the Minnesota Twins and NDSU Bison. He had a quiet faith, but was firm in his beliefs. He was devoted to his church and his close circle of friends. Until the very end, he had a quick wit and a sarcastic sense of humor that we all appreciated, whether it made us laugh or shake our heads and wonder.

He is survived by his wife, LaVerne Morrissette; two children, Joe Morrissette, Jr. (Kris) and Tina Mower (Richard); five grandchildren, Joe Morrissette III (Katynka), Jake Morrissette, Jeremiah Morrissette, Anna Goy and Isaac Goy; and three great-grandchildren, Joey Morrissette, Medrick Morrissette and Eleanor Morrissette.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, one daughter and one grandson.