Joseph Lee Presswood

Joseph Lee Presswood, a longtime resident of Fort Dodge, passed away peacefully at 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2024; he was 91. He was born on March 11, 1933, in York, Alabama, to George and Mary Ella (Richardson) Presswood. He was the tenth of twenty children, which included four sets of twins. Joseph and his sister, the late Georgia Mae Clardy, were one of the four sets of twins and were extremely close during their lives.

As a child, he attended Sunday School and church regularly at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Alabama. It was at Mount Zion that he gave his life to Christ at an early age and was baptized.

In 1953 Joseph married Callie Mae Jackson. From their union seven children were born: Joseph Lee Jr., Daisy Mae, David Lee, Georgia Mae, Cathy Jo, Calvin Ray, and Carolyn.

Joseph moved his family to Iowa in 1958 at the end of the Great Migration. His uncle, Wesley Durr, was living in Otho, Iowa, about ten miles southeast of Fort Dodge. Wesley encouraged Joseph to come to Iowa to work at the local brick and tile company. After Joseph obtained employment and became established, he sent for his wife and their two children at the time, Joseph Jr. and Daisy. A few years later, around 1961, Joseph got a better job in Fort Dodge and moved his family there. Most of the family has lived in Iowa for sixty-six years.

Throughout the years, Joseph worked hard to take care of his growing family. He worked as a laborer for Kalo Brick and Tile and United States Gypsum. For many years, he was employed as a butcher for Iowa Beef Processors from which he retired. After retiring, he worked for Land of Lakes and later Friskies Pet Care.

Joseph attended the Second Baptist Church in Fort Dodge along with his wife Callie. He was active at his church serving as a trustee and deacon. When he was in his sixties, he received the call to the ministry. He served as an interim pastor during the early 2000’s. Joseph and Callie were very involved in their church until their health failed them.

A kind and compassionate man, Joseph always prioritized his wife’s and family’s well-being. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren greatly adored him. Joseph was friendly and a good friend to all. He loved sharing the Word and was the epitome of faith and showing God’s love. He was known for his unending patience and for imparting godly wisdom.

Joseph leaves to mourn his wife, Callie, of nearly seventy-one years of marriage; four daughters, Daisy (Walt) Mure, Georgia (Fairbanks) Cason, Cathy Presswood, all of Des Moines, Iowa, and Carolyn Lewis (Randy Egli) of Manson, Iowa; three sons, Joseph (Karen) Presswood of Lawrence, Kansas, David Presswood (Becky Zook) of Des Moines, and Calvin (Jodi) Presswood of Fort Dodge; eighteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; four sisters, Hannah Clark Bell of Des Moines, Iowa, Mary Alice Presswood of Demopolis, Alabama, and Carrie Dubose and Callie Mae Jackson, both of York, Alabama, and a host of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, nine brothers, six sisters, and a grandson, Ryan.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Laufersweiler Funeral Home, 307 South 12th Street, Fort Dodge. Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 19, at 11 a.m. at Laufersweiler. Interment will follow at North Lawn Cemetery, 2201 North 15th St.