Joseph William Barnett, 80, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

Joe was born April 19, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Alfred and Norma Barnett. He graduated from Minneapolis Roosevelt High School. After high school, Joe and his family moved to Hacienda Heights, California. He later graduated from Cal State Fullerton.

On May 16, 1959, he married Carol Alderman in Los Angeles, California. Joe served in the United States Army as an instructor in communications.

Joe was a Little League baseball coach and a brewer at the Pabst Brewery before moving to Austin, Minnesota, to be a special education teacher for over 25 years. He also served as a surrogate parent at Gerard.

Joe shared his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor with all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Carol, Austin, Minnesota; son, Scott (Gerri) Barnett, Fort Madison, Iowa; daughter, Michelle (Kirk) Handahl, Rochester, Minnesota; four grandchildren: Shaun (Audrey) Barnett, Elyssa (Kai) Gansner, Nathanial Handahl, Autumn Handahl; one great-granddaughter, Sophia Barnett; sister, Betty (Stan) Bent, Mission Viejo, California.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials are preferred to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimers Research. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.