Joseph (Joe) James Juntunen, 54

Joseph (Joe) James Juntunen, 54, of West St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away on December 26, 2025 at Regions Hospital, St Paul, MN.

Joe was born September 24, 1971 in Grand Forks, ND to Jim and Linda Juntunen. Joe grew up in Grand Forks, where he attended school and made lifelong friends.

After high school, Joe ventured out to Washington state and then eventually to Burnsville, MN where he worked for Lehigh Cement. This is where he met his wife, Emily. They married in 2005 and made a home in West St. Paul, MN.

Joe was known for his great sense of humor, his huge heart, his deep love of music (skilled as a vocalist and bass player), and his fierce loyalty to friends and family.

He had an encyclopedic knowledge of all things 80’s, especially musical groups and movies. He was a huge fan of Star Wars and mastered all Atari games in his childhood.

Joe’s happy place in the world was the family cabin at Grace Lake where he was basically part fish as a kid. He spent his summers there swimming, fishing, telling stories and jokes around the fire, and often found with an Archie comic in hand.

Joe is survived by his wife Emily, his parents, sisters Stacey (Nick) Bach, Jenny (Brian) Loer, both of East Grand Forks, MN, sisters-in-law, Denise (Jay) Harrison, Aurora, IL, Deb Reicks, Mapleton, IA, nephews Michael (Jamie) Harrison, Jacob (Willow Leach) Loer, Thomas Loer, and Brady Loer, and niece Katie (Tyler Gallant) Harrison. Best Friend and partner-in-crime, Donnie Hart, Grand Forks, ND. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held this coming summer at Grace Lake.