Dennis Funeral Homes

JOSEPH EDWARD LYNCH, age 82 of Waseca, died on Sunday, October 11, 2009 at the Waterville Good Samaritan Center.

Born on October 3, 1927 in Cohoes, New York, he was the son of Alpheus and Esther (Lyons) Lynch.  Joe moved with his family to Watervliet, NY near Albany where he attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School and graduated from Watervliet High School in 1945.  Following his schooling, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1947.  After his discharge, he attended Winona State Teacher’s College (WSTC) from 1948 until 1952.  He was active in high school sports and carried his enthusiasm to WSTC.  He held several state high school records in track running the 440 and 220 yard dash.  While at WSTC, Joe met Darlene Griebenow and they were married on March 28, 1953 in Harmony, MN.  They made their first home in Ellendale where Joe taught business in high school and was active in coaching. Their son David was born while living in Ellendale.  Joe and Darlene spent three summer sessions at Colorado State College in Greeley, CO where he received his master’s degree in administration.  After leaving Ellendale, Joe and Darlene moved to Waseca in 1958.  He taught at the U of M Southern School of Agriculture for one year and then began teaching at Waseca High School.  Joe taught in the Physical Education and Business Departments and also coached varsity basketball with Manny Beckman, Tink Larson and John Bendix.  Joe also assisted Whitey Aamot with the square dance program at school.  Their son Daniel was born in Waseca in 1961.

Joe enjoyed his many years of teaching and coaching.  He also participated in many sporting activities including volleyball, softball, golf, and refereeing basketball and football.  He retired from teaching and coaching in 1987.  Joe and Darlene purchased a lake home on Bay Lake in northern Minnesota with friends from New York.  Together they owned the lake home for 27 years before selling it as Joe’s health deteriorated.  Joe had been a resident of the Waterville Good Samaritan Center since 2002.  While there he kept as active as he could spending a great amount of time outside interacting with people.  Joe’s close friend, John Bendix, was a faithful weekly visitor the entire time Joe lived at the care center.   He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene of Waseca; two sons, Dr. David (Dr. Sue Ravenscraft) Lynch of Edina and Daniel (Edwina) Lynch of Flower Mound, TX; and two grandchildren, Andrew Lynch and Sarah Lynch.  He is also survived by one sister, Catherine (William) McQuade of Watervliet, NY and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers-William, Frederick, and Alpheus, and two sisters-Margaret Lynch and Mary Roddy.

Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 4-8 PM with a 7:00 PM parish prayer service and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Rev. Marty Schaefer officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.