In Memory of Joel Kiertzner

Joel David Kiertzner, age 46, of Sebastian, Florida (formerly of Nevada, Iowa and Battle Creek, Iowa) passed away on October 25, 2024, after a tragic motor vehicle accident. 

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa. Rev. Dr. Jim Edwards will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. 

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com  

Joel David Kiertzner was born on October 29, 1977, to parents Shirleen K. (Marsh) Kiertzner and David K. Kiertzner in Des Moines, Iowa. Joel attended Nevada High School and graduated in 1996.

After high school, he was employed for 10 years as a caretaker for handicapped adults by Mosaic in Nevada, Iowa. Joel was recognized by staff and clients as being extraordinarily kind and helpful. It was with deep regret that his own physical disability forced him to leave this position and move in with his mother, Shirleen, who resided in Minnesota. 

Joel continued to work as much as he was able for various Minnesota manufacturers as an assembler. More recently, after moving to Sebastian, Florida, to be with his fiancée, Michelle Goss, Joel worked as a cashier for Winn-Dixie in Sebastian. Joel was affectionately known as the 'philosopher' cashier as he always greeted customers with a friendly smile and a "genuine how are you?”.

Joel met the love of his life, Michelle Goss, on line and they began a relationship that blossomed into more than friendship. In 2022, Joel moved to Florida to begin his life with Michelle when it was tragically cut short by a motorist running into him as he tried to cross Highway 1 in his wheelchair.

He was an avid expert gamer who played with family and friends all over the U.S. He loved to discuss game strategy with his cousins, Hunter Marsh and Vincent Kreutz. Joel enjoyed spending time with his fiancée, going to car shows, boat shows, antique sales, and amusement parks. He especially loved riding roller coasters as it gave him a freedom he did not have in his wheelchair. 

Survivors include his mother Shirleen (Marsh) Roach of Minneapolis, MN; sister Kristin (Kiertzner) Brantley of Flint, MI; cousins Judd Schreiber of Battle Creek, IA, Andy Schreiber, of Ida Grove, IA, Vance Kreutz of Colorado, Kathleen Kreutz and Hunter Marsh both of Holstein, IA; and aunt Sara Marsh of Holstein, IA.

He was preceded in death by his father David Kendall Kiertzner; grandparents Otto and Maurine Kiertzner; aunts Diane Kay Schreiber and Lorrie Marsh.