Joseph Paul "Joe" Cree, 73, Burlington, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010 in a Minot Hospital.

Joe was born December 19, 1936 at Minot, North Dakota the son of Paul and Phoebe (Wantz) Cree. He was raised and educated at Surrey and employed during his younger years at farms in the Surrey area.

Joe entered into active duty service with the U.S. Army and served from 1954-1957 during the Korean Conflict. Upon receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Surrey, where he met and married Elaine Skar on May 17, 1958 in Minot. They made their home in Minot following their marriage.

Throughout the years, Joe was employed at Westland Oil, Lowes Printing, Nash Finch, Steen Construction. They moved to Burlington in 1968 and Joe continued working at Northern Plumbing Supply, Westlie Motors Truck Center and did civil service work at the Minot Air Force Base until ill health forced his retirement in 1989. Elaine died on March 15, 2006. He entered Trinity Homes in November 2007.

Joe attended Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

His loving family includes : Children, Don (Karen) Cree, Burlington and Michele (fiancé Ted Ichtertz) Johnson, Glide, OR.; Grandchildren, Nicole, Joseph, Joshua, Jodi (fiancé Jon Welch), Jennifer, Karla (Brandon) Athey and Kristen and Kassie Kilbourn; Great-Grandchildren, Haven and McKenna; brothers, Donald Cree of Minot and James Cree of Deering; sisters, Linda (Royce) Herr, Bothell, WA, Laurene Bohlender, Minot, Patricia (Ron) Herr, Surrey, Katherine (Dave) Kimball, Minot.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers, Morris, Carl and Lauren and sister, Lois Oja.

Funeral service: Saturday, May 8, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in Peace Lutheran Church, Burlington.
Interment : Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Burlington
Visitation : Friday, May 7, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred.