Joe Bichler passed away peacefully at the age of 102 on July 7, 2026, a day shared by the birth of his oldest grandson and first Bichler boy, Derek. He also shared his birthday with one of his granddaughters, Alysia. He was blanketed in the warmth of caring love of his children in his last weeks and days at Fargo Elim in Fargo, ND.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Church of St. Anne, Bismarck, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass.

Burial will start at 1 p.m., at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Joe was born on a farm west of Linton, ND on July 21, 1923, to Mike and Mary (Wickenheiser) Bichler. After graduating from a country school in Linton, he farmed with his dad until he was recruited into the Navy in April 1943 at the age of 19. Joe served three years in the Navy during WWII, being stationed in NY, VA, Trinidad, San Juan Puerto Rico, & Aruba-Curacao. He bravely fought In the Caribbean and Pacific arenas. In one battle he had to abandon his destroyer after it was hit by an enemy bomber; bravely treading the ocean waters with a badly injured ankle for hours until rescued. Joe was honorably discharged as a Yeoman Third Class USN-I on April 22, 1946. After the war, Joe attended and graduated from diesel mechanics school in Fargo. In 1947, he returned to Linton to work on several of his family farms. He met Ann Mary Sehn, at a dance in 1947 who became of the love of his life. Joe and Ann were married on October 12, 1948, at St. Anthony’s Church in Linton, ND. They farmed with Joe’s parents for one year, then rented a farm west of Linton for eleven years, subsequently purchasing a farm 17 miles SW of Linton. They lived on that farm for one year. While they kept that farm, they moved and rented another farm four miles SW of Linton for another 31 years. Joe and Ann raised and nurtured seven children on these farms. In 1991, they moved to a farm near McDowell Dam east of Bismarck. After 15 years there, they moved into Bismarck until December 2, 2022, when they moved to Fargo Elim/Pioneer House assisted living in Fargo, ND.

Joe was known for his mechanical and welding skills and could fix anything and make anything. He would do anything and fix anything for his family and friends. In his later years he developed a unique ability to create crafts from any pieces of metal, plastic, or wood. Joe truly enjoyed showing and talking about his numerous crafts, often giving them as gifts to family, friends, and neighbors. He simply said, “you just got to use your noodle!”. Joe thoroughly loved playing his harmonica for his wife Ann, family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and friends, even into his final days. He enjoyed playing cards, storytelling, joking around, and above else cherished time with his loving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. In his younger years, he was active in the American Legion and Knights of Columbus. Joe will be fondly remembered for his love, strength, resilience, generosity, crafts, sense of humor, and his strong faith in his Lord.

Joe is survived by five daughters and three sons-in-law: Donna St. Moritz, Apple Valley, MN; Joanne Kilber, Scottsdale, AZ; Karla (Bruce) Vistad, Hanover, MN; Annette (Mark) Hebert, Fargo, ND; and Becky (Rick) Pfau, Fargo, ND; two sons and one daughter-in-law: Tim Bichler, Phoenix, AZ; and Joe Jr. (Tina) Bichler, Topeka, KS; 11 grandchildren: Stacey (Jim) Stewart, Alysia (Erick) Patterson, Nicole Klein, Derek Bichler, Christy Hogue, Lucas (Kandi) Vistad, Rachel (Aaron) Michael, Doug (Mandy) Hogue, Richard (Shannon) Pfau, Joe (Katherine) Bichler III, Michael Pfau; 16 great grandchildren: Brianna (Brenden) Garcia, Kaily Klein, Ciara Bortle, Sarah Klein, Lucy Klein, Kyle Vistad, Torah Bichler, Tristan Vistad, Josslyn Bichler, Colton Pfau, Briggs Bichler, Parker Hogue, Connor Pfau, Niles Patterson, Kensi Michael, Mack Patterson; 3 great-great-grandchildren: Aiden Maverick Garcia, Chloe Garcia, Blair Garcia. Joe is also survived by four sisters & one brother-in-law: Angie Miller, Spokane WA; Sally Bernhardt, Linton, ND; Beverly Noel, Kulm ND; and Bernie (Eddie) Jahner, Appleton WI; and one sister-in-law Alice Bichler.

Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife Ann of 77 years; his parents Mike and Mary Bichler; seven sisters & ten brothers-in-law: Margaret (Alyosius) Ternes; Phyllis (Valentine) Kuhn; Teresa (Pius) Hagar; Lorraine (Herman) Mosset; Anna (Wendelin) Mosset; Agnes (Max) Mosset; Victoria (Buddy) Jahner; Leo Miller; Tony Bernhardt; and Albert Noel; two brothers & one sister-in-law: Alex (Katherine) Bichler, and Leo Bichler.

The family sincerely thanks HIA hospice, especially Shannon, Tammy, Randy, Hope, and Jerry, and the HIA volunteers, Willie and Holly as well as the incredible staff at Pioneer House and Fargo Elim, for their dedicated and loving care of our parents. May Joe rest in peace and may his memory bless all. In lieu of flowers, please donate to HIA Hospice (hiahealth.org) in his honor.