Joseph "Joe" Robert Pogozalski, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home in Sandstone, MN on Sunday, October 26, 2025, just two days shy of his 84th birthday. Surrounded by the love of his family, Joe left this world after a fulfilling life dedicated to service, family, and the great outdoors.

Born on October 28, 1941, in Superior, WI, Joe was the son of Joseph and Laura (Zawistowski) Pogozalski. He attended St. Adalbert School before graduating from Superior Cathedral High School in 1960. Driven by a desire to build a successful future, he moved to Cincinnati to work with his brother Ed, diving into the electrical trade as an apprentice. Joe soon distinguished himself, graduating from the Ohio Merchants Institute as a Electrical Journeyman with honors.

On February 6, 1965, Joe made a lifelong commitment by marrying Mary Cecilia Metzger in Hamilton, OH. After a brief stay in Minneapolis, the couple settled in Sandstone, MN, where they put down deep roots and began their family.

Joe dedicated much of his career as a master electrician at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sandstone from 1975 until his retirement in 1998. He was a proud member of the Sandstone Men's Bowling League and the FCI Employee Club, as well as an active member of St. Luke's Catholic Church.

In his downtime, Joe loved to hunt, fish, bowl, and most importantly, spend quality time with his grandchildren. He was always the first to share a laugh and offer a helping hand.

Joe is preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Laura; sons, Joseph Robert, III, John Peter; brothers, Ed and Jim; sister, June VanGuilder; mother in law, Louis Witters; father in law, Charles Metzger; brother in laws, LeRoy VanGuilder and Howard Gilch; nephews, Tom VanGuilder, Mike VanGuilder, Bob Pogozalski, Mike Pogozalski; and niece JoAnn Spindler.

Joe leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Mary of Sandstone, MN; their daughters, Laura (Scott) Theis of Long Lake, MN, Katherine (Mike) Gutknecht of Askov, MN, Susan (Dave) Solar of Bristol, CT, Nancy (Jamie) Grimsley of Marian, MI; sister, Mary Glick of Naples, FL; sister in law, Phyllis (Bob) Palmieri of Hamiliton, OH; nieces, Patty (Mick) Balsley of Cincinnati, OH, Vickie VanGuilder of Las Vegas, NV, Karen Pogozalski of Hamilton, OH; grandchildren, Nicholas (Lauren Hoglund) Gutknecht of St. Louis Park, MN, Alexandria (Dan) Thies-Price of Plymouth, MN, Amandia Thies of Plymouth, MN, Brock Grimsley of Marian, MI; and Joe's loving cat, Dolly DoDo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held to honor Joe at 11am on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at St. Luke's Catholic Church with Father Kris McKusky officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 4pm to 6pm with a 5:30 sharing time at the Methven Funeral Home chapel and also one hour prior to the service at St. Luke's Catholic Church on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN.