Jose “Joe” Govea Diaz, age 69, of Bricelyn, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at his home with his loving family around him.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Calvary Baptist Church in Wells. The Rev. Charles England will officiate. Visitation will be today, Aug. 14, at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Bricelyn from 4-8 p.m., and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery, Winnebago.

Jose was born on March 9, 1934, the son of Augustine and Esquia (Govea) Diaz in Ennis, Texas.

Jose moved with his family in 1944 to Fairmont and later made their home in Winnebago in 1946. He grew up doing bean work with his family. In 1962 he worked construction as a pipe layer. On Nov. 25, 1964, Jose married Estela Martinez in Bancroft, Iowa. After their marriage, they made their home in Alden. In 1966 he built his own car crusher. In 1973 he and his family moved to Frost, and later in 1978 they bought an acreage in Bricelyn. Jose then increased his salvaging business, which was known as Joe’s Scrap Iron and Metal. He enjoyed talking with friends and had a great love for his grandchildren. He had great enjoyment watching movies at the Kee Theater with his grandson, Aric Bauman.

He is survived by his wife, Estela Diaz of Bricelyn; eight children: Paul Diaz of St. Paul, Hope and her husband Al Bauman of Kiester, Ruben Diaz of Richfield, Minn., Richard Diaz and his fianc Jenny Sprunck of South St. Paul, Eva and husband James Schumann of North Branch, Minn., Lena Diaz of Burnsville, Minn., Judy and her husband Mitch Mark of Flint; Mich., and Lorraine and her husband Tab McGregor of Michigan; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five brothers: Tom Diaz of Michigan, Felix and his wife Delores Diaz of Winnebago, Celestino Diaz of Winnebago, Nate and wife Beatrice Diaz of Fairmont, and Paul and his wife Pauline Diaz of Michigan; four sisters: Mary Diaz of St. Paul, Doris and her husband Leroy Mausling of Michigan, Tina and her husband Jim Jentz of Iowa, and Petra DeLaCruz of St. Peter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; one son, Sonny Diaz; two grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Doreen Diaz.