Joel Sheridan Frette

Joel Sheridan Frette, age 88, of Burnsville, Minnesota, passed away from natural causes on September 2, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, traveler, sports fan, church leader, amateur magician, and occasional self-proclaimed superhero, Joel filled his life with family, faith, laughter, and a healthy amount of mischief.

Born and raised on a farm in Roland, Iowa, Joel grew up working alongside his father and helping with the farming. He remained proud of both his Iowa roots and his Norwegian heritage throughout his life. He graduated from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, where he played basketball after also playing in high school. His athletic days may have ended, but his love of sports never did. He remained an avid Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves fan and especially enjoyed watching college basketball.

Joel served for 6 months in the U.S. Army and several years in the Army Reserves during peacetime alongside several buddies from his hometown. They liked to explain the era simply: “No one dared start a war while WE were in the Army.” After college, Joel built a career as an appraiser of machinery and equipment for Marshall & Stevens, where he worked for more than 30 years. His work took him to all 50 states and internationally to Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Germany, and England. Along the way, he passed through an untold number of airports—from major hubs to tiny regional airports in places most travelers would never have a reason to visit. He also appraised many businesses and organizations throughout the Midwest. On long drives, he frequently pointed toward a building and proudly announced, “See that building over there? I appraised that.” (Usually met with eye rolls from his passengers.)

Joel and Sheri’s story began with a whirlwind summer romance, and within 10 months they were married. What followed was a 48-year marriage filled with family, laughter, and adventure. They shared a love of travel and created a lifetime of memories together. Sheri occasionally joined him on business trips, but they also traveled extensively for the simple joy of exploring new places. Together, they visited Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada; made many trips to Europe; and traveled throughout the Mediterranean. They traveled across the United States from coast to coast, exploring big cities, small towns, and nearly everything in between. For several years, they also traded part of Minnesota’s winter for Arizona sunshine.

Travel was even better when the whole family came along. Thanksgiving family trips became treasured traditions, filled with new places, shared stories, and memories that will continue to be retold. Closer to home, Joel and Sheri hosted the Frette Family Fun Fest, a Labor Day family reunion, for 26 years. Joel was happiest when the people he loved were gathered together, whether for a major family celebration, a card game around the table, or a day by the pool—where he particularly enjoyed serving drinks to his guests – “Margarita, anyone?”

Joel was proud of his Norwegian heritage and carried on the tradition of making lefse each year. He also appreciated simple pleasures—making popcorn on a rainy day, drinking Mimosas on Sundays, and especially a spontaneous trip to Dairy Queen.

Joel loved playing games, including bridge, cribbage, Oh Shucks, 500, and Catch Phrase. He also treasured the weekly gatherings with his local group of guys: Tuesday breakfasts at McDonald’s, Hy-Vee, or even the park; Thursday lunches at Culver’s; and Vikings games at someone’s house. During each game, a small statue served as the group’s unofficial “Vikes win” meter. As the game unfolded, they slid it left or right to reflect the team’s changing chances of victory.

He was handy around the house and could fix an impressive variety of things, although his favorite tools were often duct tape and spray paint. Whether the repair was conventional or uniquely Joel, he approached it with confidence and creativity.

That same creativity showed up in his lifelong sense of fun. Joel was a bit of an amateur magician and even made a little money doing magic while in college. Later, he delighted family and friends by playing Carnac the Magnificent at parties. He was also known for practical jokes, including hiding green beans in pancakes, setting the clocks ahead so the children would wake up extra early for school on April Fools’ Day, or slipping a strange gourd or a “note” from a celebrity into a school lunch.

Joel’s sense of fun extended well beyond his practical jokes. He claimed to be Superman and had a ready response for any doubter: “You’ve never seen both of us in the same room at the same time, have you?” He was also the undisputed king of the shoulder dance and the creator of a special ping-pong victory dance. After winning a match, the victorious team would spread their arms and “soar” to the other side of the table before the next game. Both dances were, naturally, "patent pending." His playful, distinctive humor made ordinary moments memorable and gave his family stories they will continue telling—and laughing about—for years to come.

Faith and service were also important parts of Joel’s life. At Presbyterian Church of the Apostles, he served as an elder and as chair of the Property Council. He was a longtime member of the Vnhisvlke Apostles group and shared his time with the wider community by volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Whether he was caring for his church, helping a neighbor, or bringing people together, Joel believed in showing up and being useful.

Joel was preceded in death by his father and mother, Pete and Edythe Frette; and his sister, Evon Trcka. He is survived by his wife, Sheri Frette; his sister, Helene Adams; his children, Lisa Simonson and her husband, Lee, Brian Frette and his wife, Angela, and Lindsey Frette; his grandchildren, Austin Simonson and his wife, Ashlee, and Kayla Hannan and her husband, Blake; and his great-grandchildren, Harper Simonson, Hilde Simonson, and Cordelia Hannan.

Joel will be remembered for his devotion to family, his curiosity about the world, his commitment to his faith and community, and the good-natured humor he carried everywhere. He leaves behind a family shaped by his love, traditions made richer by his presence, and countless stories that could only begin, "Do you remember when Joel...?"

Visitation and Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 11, 2026 at Presbyterian Church of the Apostles 701 W. 130th Street, Burnsville, Minnesota. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow.

For those unable to attend in person, the funeral service will be available via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/87395285495

Memorials preferred to the family for donations in Joel’s memory to Presbyterian Church of the Apostles and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.