Joseph John “Joe” Stottmann, 82, of Parsons, passed away at 10:40 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Elm Haven West Nursing Home in Parsons.
He was born August 14, 1932 in Sterling, Oklahoma to Herman M. and Ida (Schulte) Stottmann. Joe graduated from Anadarko High School in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
Joe farmed prior to serving his country from 1953 to 1955 in the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge, he moved to Parsons where he began working at the MKT Railroad.
On November 12, 1955, he and Charlotte A. “Charlene” Habiger were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Parsons. They began married life in Parsons and moved to Kansas City in 1957 where he worked for Manor Bakery before returning to Parsons in 1963. Upon his return to Parsons, Joe continued to work at the railroad as a locomotive engineer until his retirement. During that time, he was also engaged in farming and custom haying which brought him great enjoyment.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons where he served as Eucharistic minister, lector, and sang in the Gregorian chant choir. Joe dedicated his life to the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was a 4th degree member of Assembly 2496, a 3rd degree member of Council 643, and had earned the 100 VIP lapel pin for recruiting over 100 members to the K of C. Joe was instrumental in organizing and conducting Bingo for the Knights of Columbus from 1977 through December of 2014. He was a Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator, Former District Deputy, Past State Warden, and State Vocations Director. He and his wife, Charlene, served as the State Pro-Life Chair Couple and assisted in establishing the annual sausage dinner which they participated in for 30 years to raise funds for Pro-Life organizations. In 1998, Joe was named Knight of the Year and in 1991 his family was awarded the Wichita Diocesan Family of the Year. Joe served as an officer in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and also served on the Board of Directors of the National Beefalo Association where he was President for two years. He was also a member of the Elks-BPOE Lodge No. 527 and the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees (NAVRE).
He enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and was a member of numerous bowling teams for over 30 years. Joe especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Two highlight trips were to Rome, Italy during the Jubilee Year, where he and Charlene celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary, and a pilgrimage to multiple sites in the Holy Land in and around Jerusalem.
Survivors include:
His wife – Charlene Stottmann of the home
Two Sons – Michael J. Stottmann and wife, Darlene Topeka, KS
David R. Stottmann and special friend, Tracy Morris Parsons, KS
Five Daughters – Arlene C. Thiessen and husband, Doug Beloit, KS
Janice A. Williams Kansas City, MO
Brenda K. Davis and husband, Kevin Scott City, KS
Cynthia J. Jones and husband, Douglas Scammon, KS
Linda M. Roland and husband, Donald Hutchinson, KS
Seventeen Grandchildren
Seven Great-Grandchildren and one “on the way”
Two Brothers – Bernard H. Stottmann Anadarko, OK
Herman J. Stottmann Lawton, OK
Three Sisters – Sister Agnes Stottmann St. Louis, MO
Lucy Bruehl Cashmere, WA
Lydia Foote Oklahoma City, OK
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mary Hayden and Anna Kobza.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 19, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, led by the 4th degree Knights of Columbus, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends immediately following the rosary at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
