Joseph John Wanninger III, known as Joe to his friends and family, passed away surrounded by family and friends at his home in Panora on October 11. He was 59 years of age.
Joe was born March 13, 1965, in Audubon. He was raised in and around Audubon, graduating from Audubon High School in 1984. After graduation, he attended Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg. He was united in marriage to Jill Knights on April 12, 1985. After marrying, the couple established their home in Omaha, NE.
They then relocated with their children to Jefferson in 1988, where he established his businesses, Joe’s Body and Paint, and Joe’s Autos in 1992. After moving from their acreage in Jefferson, they relocated to town, where they became fast (family) friends with the Hagen family. Nearing retirement, in 2018 the couple moved full time to Lake Panorama, which was a lifelong dream of Joe’s.
Joe enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, providing his grandchildren with all the toys he could think of, buying and selling anything he thought was a deal, and traveling to anywhere warm, especially Hawaii. He loved interacting with all children, and he had an innate ability to make a friend and make you feel welcome in his presence.
Joe was witty and loved to give anyone he met a good-hearted hard time. He could be often heard saying “Work Smarter, Not Harder!”. The world would be a better place if we all had a little Joe in us, with his unwavering commitment to his family, his enormous heart, and his generosity to those he felt needed it most. Rest in peace, Joe; you will never be forgotten.
Joe is survived by his loving wife Jill; children Brooke (John) of Churdan and Luke (Jenna) of Panora; grandchildren Brenna and Kade Smith, and Lucy and Ruby Wanninger; sisters Sheri Lebeck (Dave) of Atlantic, Sandi (Harry) Callahan of Rapid City, SD, and Debbie (Leroy) Lane of Omaha, NE; mother- and father in-law Dale and Karen Knights; brothers-in-law Jeff (Amy) Knights, Brent (Jana) Knights, and Brian (Lori) Knights; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph John Jr. and Louella Wanninger and nephew Jesse Knights.
A memorial service will be held Oct. 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Burial will take place at Jefferson Municipal Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the William R. Bliss Cancer Center in Ames.
The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, 515-386-2171.
