Joe Francis Straetker, 73, a beloved and devoted husband, father and papa, passed away peacefully at his home on July 3, 2023. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023 at the Kimball Evangelical Free Church in Kimball with Pastor Tyler White officiating. Friends may also visit www.cantrellfh.com to view Joe’s Tribute Wall and share condolences and stories with the family. The services for Joe have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.
Joe was born August 6, 1949 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He was adopted and raised by his foster father, Joseph Straetker. He attended Scottsbluff schools and grew up helping at his dad’s Packard Dealership. Joe went on to enlist in the Air Force and served his country proudly from December 7, 1967 thru October 30, 1969 when he was honorably discharged. He returned to live in Scottsbluff County where he later met and married his wife Debbie in 1996. Together they had two daughters that he put his heart and soul into raising and caring for.
Joe and Deb loved living in Nebraska and finally settled in Dix, Nebraska where they bought their home. Joe loved nothing more than the family that God had blessed him with, living a life filled with laughter and love, talking with friends, and of course anything to do with cars. He had a passion for racing them in the past, building them, maintaining them and even repairing them.
He is survived by his loving wife, Debbie, daughters; Angelle and Christie (Kevin) Loeschke, stepsons; Kenny (Misty) Stauffer, Billy (Kristin) Stauffer, Mother in law; Patty Morse, 6 granddaughters and countless family and friends.