Memorial services for Joseph J. Spark Jr. of Albert Lea will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel in Albert Lea. Pastor John Holt will officiate. Friends may greet the family

one hour prior to the service.

Joseph died Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, at his home in Albert Lea. He was 67 years of age.

Joe was born April 3, 1947, in Albert Lea, the son of Joseph and Alvina Spark Sr. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1965 and excelled in gymnastics. He then went to Southwest State University in Marshall and graduated in 1974. Joe lived most of his life in Albert Lea with time spent in Marshall, Lake Mills, Iowa, and Mounds View. He had been a member of First Lutheran Church and taught Sunday school.

Joe worked at several places including Grandma G’s Pizza in Lake Mills and the Pizza Cellar in Albert Lea. He worked selling insurance for New York Life, Alamco, Wilson and Co., Imperial Chemical and Wedge Nursery. Joe retired after years at Ventura Foods.

Joe was the proud caretaker of the Itasca rock garden. He was especially enthusiastic about springtime and the blossoming of the garden. Joe loved fishing and pets and could repair anything. He enjoyed flowers and gardening and loved lighting up your day telling you a new joke. He was also a longtime beekeeper.

Joe is survived by his sisters Julianne Roe, Jeanne Darby and Jayne Spark all of Albert Lea, nieces, nephews, cousins and special love of his life, previous wife and longtime friend Monnie, and Rhonda, who held a place in his heart.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Cochese his wolf and beloved dogs.

God set him free.