Joseph Fedler was born on October 18, 1929 in West Point, Iowa. His daughter married Walt’s second cousin on the Wellman side of the family.

Joseph Theodore Fedler was born to Theodore and Theresa Pieper Fedler. He was the ninth child born to the family. They had a farm near West Point, Iowa. He continued to live with his mother after the death of his father in 1946. Joseph worked the family farm and farmed much of his life.

On April 20, 1949, Joseph married Lorene Menke in St. Paul. They had ten children. In addition to farming, Joseph served on the Marquette School Board. He also served as Clerk of West Point Township for 20 years. He was active in church and the Knights of Columbus.

Joseph Fedler died on August 29, 2014. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.