Joseph George Karius

TOMAHAWK, Wis. - Joseph George Karius, 77, died Dec. 15, 2016, from non-Hodgkins lymphoma at home in Tomahawk.

Joe was born July 8, 1939, in Milwaukee, the son of James and Louise (Ament) Karius. He graduated from Marquette University High School in 1956. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1963; and a master's degree in communications from the University of Iowa in 1965.

Joe married Joyce Curtis in 1962; they divorced in 1979. He married Diane Montz in 1980.

Joe is survived by his wife, Diane; his son, Joseph W. Karius, Wauwatosa; and grandson, Tyler Nelson Karius; daughter, Jennifer L. Karius, Port Washington; brother, James (Donna) Karius; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Louise Cleppe; brother, Kenneth; and sister, Dolores, in childhood.

Joe worked for the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune from 1963-80, first as a reporter and later as managing editor, directing the newsroom. He was sports editor at the Milwaukee Sentinel from 1980-86; managing editor of the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal from 1986-94; publisher of the Brookings (S.D.) Register from 1994-98; publisher of the Bennington (Vt.) Banner from 1999-2001, and publisher of the Ironwood (Mich.) Daily Globe from 2001-10, when he retired.

Joe wrote a newspaper column that ranged from humor and satire to commentary on local, state and national issues. He won many awards for his writing over the years, both for his columns and newspaper editorials.

He was active in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, South Dakota Newspaper Association, Associated Press Managing Editors, AP Sports Editors, the Pen & Mike Club of Milwaukee and other professional print media organizations. Joe's civic outreach and deep belief in the importance of newspapers in informing readers about their communities made the papers he directed leading forces in those communities.

Joe was an avid gardener, whose tomato crops fed neighbors and filled his freezer. He loved to bake bread and cook. For many years, he ran two miles every morning with his dog.

Joe and Diane thoroughly enjoyed the chance to settle in areas as diverse as western South Dakota and southern Vermont that came with Joe's job opportunities. Joe was a friend and mentor to colleagues at every newspaper where he worked.

A celebration of the life of Joseph Karius will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, from Generations Funeral Home in Tomahawk. The family will receive friends for visitation from 1 to 3 p.m., with a sharing of memories beginning at 3 p.m. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. View Joe's obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral.com.