Stonacek Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements. No services are planned at this time.

Joe was born in Norfolk, and grew up in Randolph, the son of Francis and Bernice Kiser. He graduated from Randolph High School and attended Northeast Nebraska Tech for auto mechanics. He moved to Denver, Colo., but eventually returned to the Nebraska small-town life he preferred. He resided in Pierce and Plainview with his long-time partner, Kim Bates. Joe’s life was characterized by his musical talent, athleticism, love of the outdoors, DIY hobbies and love for family, friends and dogs. Joe was a talented drummer who played in the 1980s, with the Crystal River Band, a Colorado country and bluegrass band, Joe affectionately dubbed “Bear” by his bandmates. In Colorado, Joe was invited to fill in for the regular drummer of Grammy Award winning artist Freddy Fender. In Nebraska, he lent his talents to a variety of bands, adapting easily to different styles of music. Joe spent his final working years as a roofer, having acquired experience earlier in life with home builder Paul Borst, a Randolph neighbor. Joe felt right at home on the roof, a trade he truly missed.

Naturally strong from a young age, Joe brought home a first-place gold trophy for excelling at all three skills in the Ford Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition for 8 – 13-year-olds, kicking the football an impressively long distance for his age. He later pursued outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, golfing, walking and bicycling around Willow Creek Lake in Pierce and hiking at Gavins Point Dam. His hobbies included tinkering with cars and was somewhat of a Radio Shack geek. He was always happy when the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears won. As he slowed down later in life, he stayed active by taking walks around town and with his partner, Kim, enjoyed an occasional trip to Lewis and Clark Lake and trying their luck at a casino.

Joe was unique, with a one-of-a-kind voice and was a fountain of little-known information. If you had the opportunity to speak with Joe, you were sure to learn something new.

He is survived by partner, Kim Bates; brother, Rob (Mary) Kiser, Bulverde, Texas; sister, Sally Kiser, Denver, Colo.; sister, Susan Sullivan (Sherif Said), Denver, Colo.; sister, Jenny Kiser, Hayden, Colo.; and five nieces and three great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Fran Kiser Cochrane; brothers, Pete Kiser and Tony Kiser; nephew, Matt Cochrane; and great-niece, Saskia Cochrane.