Joseph John Coubal was born April 29, 1917 at Redwood Falls, Minnesota, to Joseph and Barbara (Zemla) Coubal. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Catherines Catholic Church, Redwood Falls. He attended school in Redwood Falls and graduated in 1935. Joe married Ernestine Daun on January 2, 1940, at St. Catherines Catholic Church in Redwood Falls. They were the parents of nine children. In Joe's early years he worked at the lumber yard and telephone company and started his carrier in the post office in Redwood Falls as a clerk. He was in the Marine Corps during WWII serving in the Pacific area and partook in action against the enemy at Okinawa. He was discharged from the service on December 27, 1945. In 1952, the family moved to Hazel Run, Minnesota, where Joe was a rural mail carrier. Many people on his mail route said they could set their clock by the time he delivered the mail. On Christmas Eve, Joe always told his kids he had to deliver a package to someone on his route and he would leave and Santa would come to see the kids. In the spring of 1957 there was a flood and Joe delivered the mail by boat. He retired from the postal service in 1973. He was a member of the American Legion and served as commander in the Hazel Run Legion. Joe was a good handyman and loved woodworking; always helping his kids with projects. He loved gardening, fishing, hunting, coin collecting and you always saw a book by his chair as he loved to read. His favorite times were with his grandchildren telling them stories. Joe married Dorothy Jensen May 21, 1977, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls. In 1984 they moved to Big Stone Lake by Ortonville, Minnesota, and enjoyed their retirement years fishing and watching the sunset and entertaining the grandkids. In 2004 they moved to Graceville, Minnesota, where Joe had a big maple tree cut down and had it carved into an eagle. He loved to sit by his window and watch the people stop to admire his eagle. Joe passed away on October 18, 2009, at the Graceville Hospital at the age of 92 years. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, Barbara (Harold) Larson, Mary Jo Haugerud, Gerry (Kenny) Leenerts, Lou (Donna) Coubal, Bonnie (Mike) McCarthy, Debbie (Dave) Hedin, Joe (Elaine) Coubal; 18 grandchildren; five step grandchildren; 25 greatgrandchildren; 18 step-great grandchildren; four great-great granddaughters; and 11 step great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ernestine; infant daughter, Cynthia; son Michael; son-in-law Glen Haugerud; grandson, Joseph Leenerts; five sisters and one brother. Blessed be his memory. Visitation: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 ~ 6:00-8:00 p.m. Prayer Service-7:30 p.m. ~ Lynner Funeral Home Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, October 22, 2009 ~ 10:30 a.m. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Montevideo, Minnesota Officiant: Fr. Jim Dvorak Organist: Connie Pauling Special Music: Marysa Abbas "On Eagles Wings" ~ "Come to Me" ~ "The Lord's Prayer" Honorary Casketbearers: (Granddaughters and Step-Grandchildren) Brenda Pederson ~ Glenda Abbas Cindy Godfrey ~ Shari Schommer Kathy Leenerts ~ Kari Feuerhelm Karla Fischer ~ Tammy Zieske Alisha Banken ~ Lorie Johnson Tim Vorvick ~ Kristi Warner Rick Vorvick ~ Kathy Cudahy Casketbearers: (Grandsons) Daniel Larson ~ Dean Leenerts ~ James Leenerts Corey Coubal ~ Derek Coubal ~ Scott Hedin Steven Coubal ~ Andy Coubal ~ Joey Coubal Final Resting Place: Clarkfield City Cemetery. Clarkfield, Minnesota Military Rites: Anderson-Tongen Post #559, Hazel Run, Minnesota (The American flag will be presented by Grandson, Corey Coubal) Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota