JOHN DUANE JOTEN

JOHN DUANE JOTEN

     John Duane Joten, 92, of Taylor passed away Saturday, July 27, 2024, in the Gundersen Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall.

     John was born Sept. 1, 1931, to Edward and Alma Joten. His family, who had a strong Norwegian heritage, farmed in Skutley Coulee in rural Taylor. He always spoke fondly about his childhood on the farm with his siblings, Auline, Merlin, Helen, Eddie, Lillian and Grace. Johnny attended the Jackson schoolhouse as a boy and graduated from Taylor High School in 1949. In 1953, after his father died, Johnny stepped up to run the family farm. 

     On Sept. 23, 1953, Johnny married the love of his life, Joyce Elaine Nelson. Together they raised eight children. The young family lived on Johnny’s family farm for several years before moving to town in Taylor. Johnny was a prominent member of the Taylor community and active member of the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran congregation.

     Johnny had a renowned work ethic. He was a talented carpenter like his father before him. He also worked as a farmer, logger, at a creamery, feed mill, John Deere and was a volunteer firefighter. In the 1980s, he opened the Taylor hardware store with his wife, Joyce. He also mowed Trempealeau Valley and Morken cemeteries up until his 90s. 

     John is preceded in death by his parents; siblings; wife, Joyce; a daughter, Diane Joten; a daughter-in-law, Ann Joten; son-in-law Frank Perkins; grandson Timothy Rose; and great-grandson Devin Rose.

     He is survived by his sons, Randy Joten, Dennis (Linda) Joten, Daryl Joten, John E. (Cindy Gran) Joten and Richard (Kimberly) Joten, all of Taylor; his daughters, Cheryl (Elmer) Grichtmeier of Colgate and Juanita (Nicholas) Schmitz of Norwalk; 10 grandchildren, Melissa Roskos, Michelle Tenneson, Jessica Joten, Stephanie Collins, Mindy Thomley, Danielle Schmitz, Ashley Joten, Amanda Marchan and Randy John Joten; 11 great-grandchildren, Arryanna, Kasey, Alexis, Maya, Alexandra, Dax, Ensley, Theo, Henry, August and Lincoln; one great-great-grandchild, Violet; and many nieces, nephews and honorary son Shane Rose.

     Funeral services will be held Satuday, Aug. 17, 2024, at 12 p.m. in the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church in rural Taylor with Pastor Eldon Simonson officiating. Lunch will be served following the service. Burial will be in the Morken Cemetery in rural Melrose. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

     The Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.