John Joseph Hartnett 'Joe', 91, of Superior, WI, formerly of Willmar, MN died at home on Friday, July 8, 2022.

Joe was born in Sioux City, IA on January 22, 1931, the oldest of the six children of John and Lucille (née Donahoe) Hartnett.  He grew up in Nebraska and Illinois.

He married Martha Lou Wassmuth (Lou) in 1955 in Peoria, IL. They had six children, ultimately settling in Willmar, MN.  He worked as a farm equipment salesman for many years, traveling the Midwest and making connections with farmers, and briefly drove a semi-truck across the country.  Later in life, he was a realtor for Century 21. He was proud of his 100% Irish heritage and in his 70s visited Ireland with his brother David.

Joe and Fran Brice were married in August 2013.  They met dancing and drove anywhere to dance including all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, and in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. They even won some dancing contests! They were members of the United Presbyterian Church in Superior and had many friends there.

Joe was very active and up-beat.  He enjoyed traveling and loved telling jokes.  He was a good cook, specializing in making Thanksgiving dinner and homemade salsa.  He lived independently until the very end, thanks to Meals on Wheels, the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living, and Essentia Hospice. We are grateful for their help as it enabled Joe and Fran to live together on their own, which was what they wanted.  We are relieved his suffering has ended but will miss his boisterous, gregarious spirit immensely.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Janie Hartnett Resner; brother, David Hartnett; and first wife, Lou Hartnett.

Joe is survived by his wife, Fran; children, David Hartnett of St. Cloud, Jackie (Bob) Maine of Staples, MN, Tessa (Al) Gilbertson of Baltic, SD, Jill (Pete) Sajevic of Shoreview, MN, and Paul Hartnett of St. Louis Park, MN; son-in-law, Larry Resner; 10 grandchildren (Katie, Jill, Sarah, Jacin , Mackenzie, Nick, Cara, Aidan, Quinn and Keira); siblings, Jane Phillips of Texas, Ann (Jack) Watson of Florida, Rod (Sandy) Hartnett of Colorado, and Bob Hartnett of North Carolina and Fran's children, Liz, Jeff, Greg, Rusty and Rhonda, of the Superior area.

Visitation will be held on Monday July 18 ^th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service at Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N 19 ^th St., with Rev. Darrell Kyle as officiant.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Essentia Hospice.