Joel’s Obituary Joel Timm Albrecht, age 83 of New Ulm died peacefully on Sunday, May 26, 2019, at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm. Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, June 3, 2019, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Donald Sutton will officiate, and burial will follow in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm.
Full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard as well as a cannon salute provided by the New Ulm Battery. Visitation will be from 2-6 pm on Sunday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-North Chapel and continue from 10-11 am on Monday at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org Joel is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Rheeta Albrecht of New Ulm; his daughters, Victoria (Dean) Torvick of New Ulm, Ramona Albrecht of New Ulm; his grandchildren, Andrew (Brianna) Torvick of Mankato, and their children Gavin and Xander; Sarah (Steven) Burger of Mankato, and their son George; Joeleen (Nicholas) Hacker of Hermantown and their children Callan, Wesley, and Ethan; his brother, Rev.
Luther (Janet) Albrecht of Romeoville, Illinois; and his brother-in-law, James (Betty) Witt of Marietta, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Henry and Clara Albrecht; and his father-in-law, and mother-in-law, Carl and Elsa Witt.
Joel Timm Albrecht was born August 4, 1935, in Clarkfield, Minnesota to Rev. Henry and Clara (Timm) Albrecht. He was a 1953 graduate from Bethany High School in Mankato.
Joel proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. On November 24, 1956, Joel was united in marriage to Rheeta Witt at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. This union blessed the couple with two daughters whom together they raised in New Ulm.
Joel worked his entire 41 year career as a bowling proprietor in New Ulm, owning and operating Concordia Lanes. While operating the bowling center, Joel also served as President of the Minnesota Bowling Association. To commemorate his service to the sport of bowling, Joel was induced into the city and state Bowling Hall of Fame.
As a proud and dedicated member of the community of New Ulm, his impact he made on the community will be felt for generations. Joel served on the New Ulm City Council from 1992-2002, and from 2003-2011, he proudly served as the Mayor of New Ulm. During his time in his offices he held, he started the German/American Day Parade Tradition in 1998, he organized the Downtown Flower Watering Crews starting in 2003, he was a chair on the Highway 14 Partnership from 1999-2001, he organized numerous city sponsored Germany Tours, was a member of the First Tourism Committee in New Ulm, and he was the President of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
Joel truly helped the community of New Ulm become a beacon of Minnesota tourism. As a music enthusiast, Joel served as co-chair on the World Concertina Congress in 1981. As a dedicated member of the military, Joel was a lifetime member of the DAV and the New Ulm American Legion.
As an active member of the DAV, Joel served as the New Ulm Chapter 15 Commander, the Minnesota Commander from 1970-71, and also served as a National Executive Committee Member of the 14th District from 1984-86. While working with the DAV, Joel started the DAV State Newsletter, and was instrumental in the local DAV Van Program and starting the first DAV Thrift Store in Minneapolis. Joel was also a devout and dedicated member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm where he served on numerous boards and volunteer over the years positions.
Besides his countless acts of service for his community and country, what brought Joel the greatest joy in life was his family. He was proud of the work he accomplished in his life, but he was most proud of his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him, but countless cherished memories will forever stay in the hearts of all who knew him best.
Blessed be those memories. Memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran School, or the donor’s choice.
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