Josef “Joe” A. Jackson, 92, of Grand Island, passed away March 16, 2018, with his family by his side.

Joe was born on July 22, 1925, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Oscar A. and Inez Leurinda (Bingham) Jackson. He lived with his parents and older sisters, Joan and Alice, in West Allis, Wisconsin, for three months, then the family moved to a farm in Todd County, South Dakota. His mother passed away on Nov. 6, 1927, after a long illness. Joe went to live with his mother’s parents, Joseph and Etta Bingham, in Keya Paha County, where he grew up under the guidance of loving but strict grandparents. After attending a rural school through eighth grade, he went to live with his father in the fall of 1939 in Springview, where he attended Keya Paha County High School, graduating in 1943.

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with the A. & F. platoon, 2nd Battalion 290th Regiment, 75th Infantry Division. He served in England, South Wales, Battle of the Bulge, Holland, Germany and France.

Under the G.I. Bill, Joe attended Colorado A&M College in Fort Collins, Colorado, graduating in 1951 with a degree in animal production. His first job was with the University of Nebraska Experiment Station in North Platte, as an animal husbandryman.

He was united in marriage to Vonna Jeane Rockwell on Aug. 2, 1953, in Arnold. His daughter, Donna Jeane, was born on Nov. 25, 1954.

In 1956, Joe began working for Doane Agricultural Services in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, as a farm manager and appraiser. He was transferred to Grand Island in 1963, to appraise land along the development of Interstate 80 to the Colorado border. He later worked as a farm loan and appraiser for Kansas City Life Insurance, covering five states. He became an independent rural appraiser in 1983 until his retirement in 1998.

Joe and Vonna enjoyed many years driving across the U.S. in various recreational vehicles, visiting relatives and doing genealogy research. He also enjoyed woodworking and sneaking food to Mazie and Gracie, the golden retrievers who liked being by his side.

He was a member of the Prairie Pioneer Genealogy Society of Grand Island, Ohio State Genealogy Society, Ulster Historic Foundation of Belfast, Ireland, American Farm Manager Society, American Appraiser Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Rotary International and the Masonic Lodge, receiving his 50-year pin. Joe was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; two sisters, Joan (Sam) Glorso and Alice (Myron) Clay; and a niece.

Joe is survived by his wife of 64½ years, Vonna; daughter, Donna (Michael Martin) Sanders of Marquette; two granddaughters, Rebecca (Kyle) Jaixen Doerr and Elizabeth (Aaron) Jaixen Sauerland of Minneapolis; three great-granddaughters, Abby and Kaitlyn Doerr and Ava Sauerland, also of Minneapolis; two step-great-grandchildren, Ericka Sauerland of Kahaluu, Hawaii, and Colton Sauerland of Tempe, Arizona; and nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at giallfaiths.com.

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 23, at All Faiths Funeral Home, Grand Island, with Daniel Naranjo officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 23, at the Arnold Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, at All Faiths Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.