Obituary of Joseph "Joe" Hoelzel

Joseph "Joe" Hoelzel passed away on April 7, 2025, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis following a brief illness related to his pulmonary illness

Joe was born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, on August 24, 1959, to Donna Bickford and Joseph Hoelzel. He spent his formative years in Wisconsin and graduated from Fennimore High School. In 1979, Joe relocated to Minneapolis, where he established his roots.

On August 19, 2000, Joe married Andrea Johnson, and they made their home in Minneapolis.

Joe was one of a kind, a true connoisseur of the weird and unusual. He was an accomplished magician, an enthusiastic reader and book collector, and, at one time, a musician who played bass and sang in various bands. Joe and his wife cherished their time together, enjoying cooking, camping, and exploring small towns in search of the extraordinary.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donna and Lloyd Bickford and Joseph Hoelzel, as well as his sister-in-law Cathy Hoelzel and niece Ami Hoelzel. Joe is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Andrea Hoelzel; his sisters Deb (Willie) Wilson and Laura (Donnie) Kirschbaum; his brother Tim (Becky) Hoelzel; brother-in-law Grant (Robyn) Johnson; in-laws Mary Johnson and Jim Johnson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of his life is being planned for this summer.