Obituary of Joseph John Geolat

 

Joseph John Geolat (Joe), 94, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born on July 4, 1930, he grew up in Belleville, Illinois and was a graduate of Cathedral High School in 1948. He served in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve from 1951 and was Honorably discharged in 1953. He then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He met Borghild Gemsey (Borg) of Montevideo, MN and they were married on October 15, 1955. They lived on each coast, Hawaii, and in Italy before settling in Minnesota to raise their family.

He began his career at Northern Pump Company which later became FMC Northern Ordnance Division, a defense contractor for the United States Navy. He traveled extensively across the world during his 41-year career at FMC which allowed him to live and work in various places - New Jersey, California, Virginia, South Carolina, Hawaii, Italy, Philippines, Australia, the Middle East, and various parts of Europe.

He was an avid gardener and enjoyed the outdoors camping, canoeing, and fishing with his family. After Joe’s retirement he continued to travel with Borg to Alaska, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and China. Joe always enjoyed getting together with family to celebrate, no matter the occasion.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Borg and his parents John and Hedwig Geolat along with his brothers Francis Geolat (Frank) and Bernard Geolat (Barney).

He is survived by his four children Sharon (Daryl) Brown, Kimberly (William) Lieb, Steven (Nancy) Geolat and Keith (Cheryl) Geolat, nine grandchildren Matthew (Susan) Brown, Jennifer (James) Hintz, Cassie Libby, Adam (Courtney) Geolat, Kyle (Rachel Johnston) Geolat, Nick Geolat, Brandy (Tony) Klindworth, Lexi (Carter) Gnotke, Amber Geolat, five great grandchildren Aubrey Libby, Levi Libby, Silas Klindworth, Bridgette Klindworth, Brooks Geolat, his brother Norman (Norm) Geolat and several nieces and nephews.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 20th at 2:00 PM

St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at 1:00 PM

Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x60FSnoSSto

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joe Geolat’s memory to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at the following link. https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E331225&id=4

Interment will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.