Burt Joul, age 89, of Jackson, Minnesota, passed away with family by his side, at his residence in Jackson, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Lance Isaacson officiating. Visitation will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Jackson. Military honors will be performed by Jackson American Legion Post #130.
The funeral service will be live streamed on the Osterberg Funeral Home Facebook page.
Masks are requested to be worn during the visitation and the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The family will send the memorials to local Jackson organizations in honor of Burt.
Burton Raymond Joul was the third child born to Ellen (Sorem) and Harry Joul on April 7, 1932, in Worthington MN. His family lived on the original Sorem family farm near Bigelow MN for his first four years before moving to Lakefield MN. Growing up he was a budding entrepreneur employing two other boys delivering the Minneapolis Tribune. He was a standout athlete in basketball and football. He played trumpet and served as class president all four years of high school and was selected Homecoming King. He graduated as class salutatorian from Lakefield High School in 1950.
Upon graduation he attended the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy and was enrolled in the US Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC). He graduated in 1954 and was commissioned a Lieutenant and spent two years on active duty with the US Army Medical Corps and later with the reserves.
In 1956 he met his partner for life, Janice Johnson from Benson MN, on a blind date in Minneapolis. In March of 1958 they were married, had four children and over 57 years together. She was instrumental in all his endeavors.
Burt returned to Jackson County in 1957 where he formed a business partnership with W.C. “Win” Westby who owned and operated Westby Rexall Drug on Main Street in Jackson. Burt later bought out his partner’s interest and in 1961 the store officially became Joul Rexall Drug.
With the growing business came a need for more space and with his commitment to Downtown Jackson, Burt bought three buildings and combined them into one large store on Main Street called Joul Drug. Amidst being a pharmacist and running the Drug Store, he bought and owned majority interest in the Fairway Grocery Store which he later sold to Gordy Anderson when it became Gordy’s Super Value, the predecessor to Sunshine Foods. He continued to own the original Fairway building now occupied by Family Dollar and built the new building for Gordy’s now occupied by Ace Hardware.
Burt believed strongly in supporting his local community. He was a long-time member of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce having served on the board and as president. He was involved in the early years and an original shareholder of the Jackson Economic Development Corporation. He was a member of the American Legion and was one of the organizers of its Drum and Bugle Corps. Over the years, he was a member of the Jackson Barbershoppers, the Jackson Jaycees, the Masons, the Jackson Lions, the advisory board of the Okoboji Summer Theatre and served on the Jackson Library Board. He also served on church council at Our Saviors Lutheran Church.
Burt enjoyed going out for coffee, following the Minnesota Vikings and Gophers, and smoking his pipe with cherry blend tobacco.
He was proud and committed to his family and is survived by his daughters Tamara (and Dr. Keith) Erickson of Elk River MN, Rebecca (and Kurtis) Tatsumi of Sheldon IA, and one son Steven (and Brenda) Joul of Sartell MN. Grandchildren Katrina (and Pete) Erickson Leo, Phillip Erickson, Dr. Janna Erickson, Samuel Erickson, Krista (and Paul) Tatsumi Honermann, Kristopher (and Tiffanie) Tatsumi, Maura Joul, Bethany Joul, and Nicholai Joul. Great Grandchildren Brett Tatsumi; Hayden and Charlie Honermann; Lilly, Landon and Maddie Leo. He is also survived by sister-in-laws Alice Johnson, Marcia Braaten and Marilyn Joul along with several nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife Janice, son Kevin along with sister and brother-in-law Lavonne & Thomas A. Thompson, brother Orville Joul, and brother-in-law Donald Johnson.
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