Joe Bosch, 80, Minot and longtime Minot area plumber died on Sunday May 11, 2008 in a Panama City, FL Rehab Center.

Joe was born on May 17, 1927 on the family farm in Ness Township of Pierce County near Berwick, ND to Simon and Frances (Hoffart) Bosch. He was raised on a farm near Knox and attended rural schools in that area. As a young adult he assisted his family with the operation of the family farm prior to being employed by oil drilling firms in the Pleasant Lake and Tioga areas of ND. Joe enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 and served until his Honorable Discharge in 1954. He was proud to be a Korean War veteran. Following his discharge he returned to Rugby where he was employed by C & G Plumbing where he served as an apprentice under the GI Bill. Joe married Phyllis "Tootie" Quinn on May 12, 1952 in Knox. They made their home in Rugby prior to moving to Minot in 1957 when he began employment with A & A Contractors and later Mowbray & Son Plumbing and Heating. He had earned the respect of many in the industry prior to his retirement. He had recently received his 50 year Membership Certificate in the Plumbing and Pipefitters Union in 2007. Since 1989 when he retired Joe and Tootie had split their time between Minot and Panama City Beach, Florida. The family would like to thank the staff of Community Health and Rehab for the care they have given Dad during the past several months.

Joe was a charter member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church - Minot and he belonged to the American Legion Post #26, Moose Lodge, he was a fourth degree knight with the Knights of Columbus #1150, all in Minot.

Joe enjoyed fishing but golfing was his passion and he was lucky enough to record a hole-in-one at hole #13 at Souris Valley Golf Course in Minot. He instilled his love for the game of golf in his four grandsons and never hesitated to give them advice. He was on his way to play golf the morning he fell and suffered the traumatic brain injury that eventually led to his demise. Fortunately, the Lord gave him the opportunity to play golf with his children a few more times during the past several months.

Joe's loving family includes his wife of 56 years Tootie; children: Neil (Vicki) Bosch of Fargo, Candace (Larry) Hardee of Lynn Haven FL, and Jon Bosch of Fort Lauderdale FL; grandchildren: Kyle and Tyler Bosch, Matthew and Justin Brown, Kim and David Nicolalde and Clay Hardee; great grandchildren: Jack, Lily and William Nicolalde; sisters: Elizabeth Miltenberger of Rugby, Darlene (Gene) Zacher of Rugby; brother: Robert (Joan) Bosch of Rugby; sisters-in-law: Alice Jorgenson, Ruth Bosch and Eleanor Bosch as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Leo, George, Pete and Ed and sisters: Margaret McClean, Helen Frech and Lena Bosch.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in St. John The Apostle Catholic Church - Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel - Minot.
Interment will be in the Veterans Section of Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Covenant Hospice 107 West 19th St. Panama City FL 32405 or the Joe and Tootie Bosch Family Scholarship Fund at Bishop Ryan High School - Minot.