Joe Vaage

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.



Over the past 90 years Joe Vaage has become the patriarch of a large family and has cultivated scores of friends! That is the premise for creating this Caring Bridge website on his behalf and hopefully it will become a compassionate and loving way to share information about Joe’s final journey. Joe was admitted to the hospital in August for complications due to a gall bladder infection. While being treated for that infection, it was discovered there was a large malignant tumor on his pancreas. The physicians placed a tube under his right rib cage, into his gall bladder, to remove the infection and reduce the pain he was experiencing. As a result of the cancerous tumor, (there are indications it has spread) the goal became for Joe to return to May Creek, his home in Walker for the past 3 years, in order to make him as comfortable as possible. He has since returned to May Creek in Walker and on August 29th began receiving hospice support several times a week. Upon learning of his prognosis, Joe said, “Well, I’m 90, there’s nothing to be done about it.”



Last week, while son, John, was there, he (and grandson, Matt) were able to get Joe into his boat for a little fishing on Leech Lake. The fishing was fun, but more importantly, the smile that crossed Joe’s face radiated his happiness to be with those he loves on the lake that gives him great peace and comfort.



We ask for continued prayers for peace, comfort and grace for Joe and all those who love him.