Joseph M. Althoff

Joseph Althoff, 93 of Oxnard, went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, March 12, 2018.  Surrounded by family, He was under the care of Vitas Hospice and his Care Giver Dante.

The Visitation from 5:00pm till 8:00pm with the Rosary at 6:00pm on Sunday, March, 18, at Reardon Mortuary, Oxnard. The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Monday, March 19, at Santa Clara Church, Oxnard.  Interment will be at Santa Clara Cemetery, Oxnard with full Military Honors.

Joseph was born April 3, 1924, the son of John and Lena Althoff, in Barney, North Dakota. They raised him on the family farm in Mooreton, North Dakota, the 10th of 11 children born to them. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 21, 1946 he went to Veterinarian school at Fort Crowder, Missouri and was assigned as a veterinarian assistant. He was transferred to a medical training school in Oakland, CA. He served as a Pharmacy Assistant on the USS Admiral Eberle. He was discharged July 9, 1947. He returned to Mooreton, N.D. to marry the love of his life, Virginia Krump, on November 10, 1948. He had many jobs related to farming and agriculture. They started a family. In 1954 he and Virginia decided to buy a farm for themselves in Hankinson, N.D. They had 2 daughters and 1 son; they decided to sell the farm in 1957 when he moved his wife and family of 3 children to the San Fernando Valley. There they had their 4th and final child. He worked for General Electric in Reseda, Ca. until they asked him if he would relocate to Oxnard, where they bought their current home in 1963, and he set down permanent roots. He and his friend Glen Johnson opened two Mobile Gas stations in Oxnard. In 1971 he started working as Farmers Insurance Agent in Oxnard, with his wife by his side working in the office with him, until he retired in 1992. During retirement, he and Virginia traveled to many places including Europe, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii. But their most cherished travels revolved around there camping trailers. They would travel on the road visiting relatives and friends across the U.S. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 40 Years and Parishioner of Santa Clara Church for more than 55 years

Joseph is survived by his wife of 69 years Virginia, their two daughters and two sons, Karan (Steve) Smith, Oxnard, Ca. Jean (David) Gerber, Clovis, Ca. Dale (Diane) Oxnard, Ca. Lyle (Carol) Thousand Oaks, Ca. Eight grandchildren Adam, Sarah, Craig, Treasurelyn, Ryan, Lesa, Lucas and Lauren. Also survived by eight great-grandchildren Noah, Levi, Emily, Abagail, Alex, Draven, Mayori, and Omar.