Joseph Bernard Weis

Joseph B. “Joe” Weis died in Denver, Colorado on January 22. He was 93 years old. Joe was born and grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. After graduating from Trinity High School, he went to the University of Iowa where he studied business. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War in Bangor, Maine and Alexandria, Louisiana and then finished his college degree and married Vivien F. Kock in 1955. He started his career in the insurance business with Washington National Insurance Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he worked for 18 years, and where he and Viv began raising their eight children. He and the Weis family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1972. Joe worked with Prudential and eventually opened his own business as an insurance broker. Joe and Viv were married for forty years until her untimely death in 1995. Joe was fortunate to find love again and was married to Ramona Hellstrom for 20 years.

Joe was admired for his incredible resilience, sharp mind, and terrific sense of humor. He was able to manage his own finances and retain his quick wit until right before his death. He enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal and following the stock market daily. Joe was deeply connected to his Irish Heritage and his Catholic Faith. He and Viv were able to take a trip to Ireland and kiss the Blarney Stone before she died. The St. Patrick’s Day parade and party were among favorite annual family events when the kids were growing up. Joe was active in many Catholic parishes in Centennial and Southeast Denver and was a member of two Catholic organizations, the Serra Club and the Ambassadors of Mary. Joe’s family was everything to him, and he was extremely proud that Viv taught in the Cherry Creek School District, and that all his children graduated from Cherry Creek High School and earned college degrees. They learned many lessons from Joe, including the importance of family, faith, and hard work. Joe valued friendships and he enjoyed having several friends over the years, including lifelong friends. Joe exercised regularly and liked staying active well into his senior years. He loved to fish – his favorite spot was at a fishing lodge two hundred miles north of Winnipeg, Canada, where he caught walleye and northern pike. He was an avid football fan, especially of the Minnesota Vikings and Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He had season tickets to the Vikings and never missed a game. Joe frequently traveled to South Bend to take in a Notre Dame game. 

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Orville B. and Eileen C. Weis of Sioux City, Iowa, his brother Lawrence J. Weis and spouse Frances R. (Emmerich) Weis of Blue Earth, Minnesota, his wife of 40 years, Vivien F. (Kock) Weis of Sioux City, Iowa and wife of 20 years, Ramona (Helstrom) Weis of Denver, Colorado. He is survived by his eight children, Theresa Cramer (Doug), Mary Weis-Fout (Randy), Jennifer Rodriguez (Ronney), Michael Weis (Margaret Marks), Patrick Weis (Scarlett), Anne Weis, John Weis (Chris), Thomas Weis, along with fifteen grandchildren, Erica (Eddie), Jessica (Andy), Katherine (Steve), Kris, Alex (Elisa), Noah, Erik (Samantha), Samantha, Josh (Sidney), Matt (Brigid), Raphael, Mackenzie, Jacob (Shelbi), Emma, Andee, and eight great grandchildren, Jaden, Jackson, Quinn, Amelia, Lincoln, Eloise, Avery, and Jack. There will be a Rosary Service on Tuesday, February 18 at 9:30 a.m. at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Denver, Colorado, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. and then reception. There will be a private burial service at Fort Logan National Cemetery on February 19. 

Joe’s family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staffs at Clermont Park Suites and Emmaus Catholic Hospice for providing such excellent care. 

In lieu of flowers, Joe would like donations to go to EWTN at www.EWTN.com or mail donations to EWTN 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale AL 35210

To view the livestream of the service, please click HERE.