Joe Zunich, Jr.

On Friday, October 25, 2019, Joseph O. Zunich, Jr. affectionately known as “Joe” and “Buddy” to friends and loved ones, passed away at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND surrounded by his loving family.

Joseph Zunich, Sr. and Olga (Raan) Zunich welcomed Joseph into their lives on July 8, 1939 in White Earth, ND. He began school at the age of six at the North Dakota School for the Deaf in Devil’s Lake, ND where he met his beautiful wife, and forever sweetheart, Joyce Senechal.

When home during holidays and summer break, Joe worked on the family farm. After graduating, he moved to Mohall, ND, where he began his career in the press industry. He worked in North Dakota, Colorado, and Alaska before his marriage to Joyce in Willow City, ND in 1964. They lived in Williston, ND before moving to Grand Forks, ND where Joe began his job at the Grand Forks Herald. They moved into their home in East Grand Forks, MN in 1970, where they raised their family and still reside.

Joe was very athletic and played football, basketball, and ran track during his youth. As he aged, he enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, woodworking, playing cards, and traveling, especially with his family, capturing it all on his ever-present camera. He was a past President of the Grand Forks Deaf Club, where he made a great difference to the Deaf community. He was a kind and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who delighted in his family. He loved to tease and found great joy in bringing happiness to those around him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce, East Grand Forks, MN; his children Daphne (Gary) Swiatko, Eleva, WI, Brent (Carla) Zunich, Thompson, ND, Tammy (Mark) Zunich-Andersen, Park Rapids, MN, and Brenda (Ken) Espelund, East Grand Forks, MN; his grandchildren Chaz Larson, Alexa  (Lewis) Deitchler, Dyllon (Krystal) Larson, Cody (Shelby) Larson, Jessica (Zach) Nash, Lauren Swiatko, Brady Larson, Kayla Andersen, Joe Swiatko, John Swiatko, Caroline Swiatko, Ciara Zunich, Callie Zunich; and great-grandchildren, Riley Kollm, Kloee Larson, Oaklee Larson, Willow Deitchler, Olive Deitchler, Payton Larson, Evalie Larson, and Hazel Deitchler; and siblings, Vernon (Ardis) Zunich, Lois (Ernie) Trujillo, Jerry (Carol) Zunich, and Lillian (Raymond) Schmidt.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Zunich, Sr. and his mother, Olga (Raan)  Zunich.

Visitation will be held at Amundson Funeral Home on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 1 pm. Funeral service to follow at 2 pm.