Happy Birthday Joel!

Nice shades Buck.

Another year to celebrate Joel's Birthday and remember and reflect upon the special people in our lives.  I am sure by now I sound like a broken record, but this time of year is always so special to me because it reminds me of the blessing of Joel's life and time he shared with each and every one of us. 

Joel in our motor-home!

Nitty Gritty in Madison!

 We all shared endless good times that we will carry with us for a life time.  These special moments cannot be surpassed, and I wouldn't trade them for any possession.

Causing trouble with the boys, per ush!

On Joel's Birthday this year, I encourage you to think about the little things that made your day special, reminded you of Joel and put a smile on your face - these moments are what we often take for granted, but truly shape how we feel each and every day.

Happy 28th Birthday Joel!  Cheers!

Buckskin Birthday Gift

Joel and Craig - Mano a Mano

For Joel's Birthday this past year we received a speedy delivery from Craig Whitney - a really unique gift that we are so grateful for.  It's a buckskin with heat pressed lettering and transferred photos from hunting camp.  Whitley is a staple up at camp, and we were so honored to receive such a gift.  The thought and planning it takes to craft something like this, makes it very special

Grandpa Marsh, Joel, Dad, and the whole hunting crew.

Jack J Marsh - Deer Season - Leader and Founder of Marsh Hunting Camp

The Marsh Men and Company

"Joel Buck"

Thank you again for this gift, we are honored to have such wonderful and thoughtful friends.  Grandpa Jack Marsh said, it is the friends you choose who show your true character - we are fortunate to have such great friends from generation to generation. 

Wishing you all a wonderful Fall, and upcoming hunting season. 

-The Marsh Family-

Joel's Golden Birthday

Joel R Marsh
February 27, 1986

Joel in the powder up in the UP.

This year would mark Joel's 27th Birthday, which makes this day and celebration all the more dear to our family and friends.  This year we celebrate Joel's Golden Birthday on February 27th.

Joel waving as I learn how to walk.  Matching pants are a nice touch!

Each time February comes around, we are always unsure how we should celebrate and remember Joel.  We particularly like celebrating Joel's life on the day that he first blessed us with his presence.  Birthdays should be fun, and we want to continue this tradition.  In saying this, we try to focus on the many wonderful years, months, and day that he touched our lives - and try not to count the days that we have been missing him so.

This year for Joel's Golden Birthday - if you wanted to do something little or something special in honor of Joel's gifts to us and to others - we thought it would be neat to celebrate by continuing Joel's legacy through his Scholarship Fund at Seymour High School.

Grandpa VanBoxtel and Joel working on the pallets with C&J!

The scholarship is set up to fund students who plan to pursue careers and advanced training in the crafts, skilled trades, and hands-on professions.  Joel loved shop class, and much of the furniture that we have in our home came from his love of labor and the art of woodworking.  We hope to encourage students to pursue these impressive, skilled careers, that may be overlooked by the traditional scholarship requirements.

In saying this, if you wanted to donate something small to the Joel Marsh Scholarship Fund as a way to celebrate his Golden Birthday, you can do so through the mail by making the check payable to:

Joel Marsh Scholarship Fund

We would prefer you send the donations to:
Curt & Deb Marsh
N9590 State HWY 55
Seymour, WI 54165

(so we can appropriately thank you for your generosity...)

Or, if you would like, you can send them directly to Baylake Bank:
Baylake Bank Seymour Financial Center
106 East State Road 54
Seymour, WI  54165

To read more about the scholarship, and see last year's ceremony, please CLICK HERE.

After a long days work at Lake Eva - Joel is the greatest tool in the bucket of the New Holland!

We would like to emphasize that small donations (even $5-$10) go a long way, and in no way do we want to pinch your pocket books in these hard times.  Joel would want to make sure you are able to go out to eat and spend quality time with friends and family - so please do not feel obligated to donate.  We simply wanted to make the information available, since many have asked how to donate to Joel's Scholarship.

We look forward to giving out two scholarships again this year, and will be working with Seymour High School to identify the perfect candidates for the special award.

We cannot thank you enough for your support in this endeavor - as many of you have already given generously to this cause.  We appreciate everything you continue to do for our family and in helping us carryout Joel's dreams and goals.  We are blessed to have you in our lives.


Happy Golden Birthday Joel!

We miss you Buck, but you remain close to us everyday, in that special place in our hearts.

Bucks Birthday Celebration in Seymour!

Fortunately this year, Buck's Birthday landed on Monday - and many from Seymour know that the Petticoat Junction has a nice meaty special on Monday evenings!  Buck was a regular at the Monday special, so we couldn't find a better place to host a meat eating gathering in the name of Buck's Birth!

Mmmmm, meat.

Took down that steak like a champion!

I (Alyce) was having my own meat eating special in Pittsburgh, and sadly order the only thing without meat on the menu at "Meat & Potatoes" - sorry Buck!  (Click here for my blog's post)  It was fun to all get together and relax and do as Buck did, and the Red Solo Cups were plentiful!  I even had a virtual toast with my Pittsburgh Red Solo cup!

Uncle John and Wheezie!

Curty & Marky with their cups - always hard to get the straw!

The Petticoat Junction was hopping!  Many of Joel's close friends and quite a few relatives stopped in for a bite and an "Uncle Buck"!  It was great to see so many faces - and when I called from Pittsburgh, I as pleasantly surprised by the noise and the fun that was going on at the Petticoat!  What a celebration of Joel's life.


We cannot thank everyone enough for joining our family on Joel's Birthday - it's wonderful to have your support. Aunt Hali's friend also made this special gift for us to cherish and remember all the wonderful facets of Joel's life.  Thank you - it's absolutely beautiful!

Another gift we received close to Joel's Birthday was a letter from one of his recipients.  It was a hand written note from a young girl.  The honesty and graciousness in her writing was by far the best gift we could have been given.  She wrote how thankful she was to the angel that walked this earth - and we couldn't agree more.

Dan, Alyssa, Ben & Gosa

Bucks crew!  Thanks for coming out boys, I mean men?

Matt, Curty, Marky, Chris, Wheezie, and Deb/Mum!

-The Marsh's

Happy Birthday Buck!

It was 26 short years ago that baby buck was born.  At that time, I think we still called him Joel.  He fought so hard and was tough as nails while the doctors worked out a solution to allow him to leave the hospital and breath independently.  Joel was the ultimate trouper!

Since Joel's birth, we have shared many laughs, wonderful times and ice cream cakes together on Joel's Birthday.  (Joel loved the crunchy fudge in the DQ ice cream cakes... I mean, who doesn't?)  I think last year we were eating off of his birthday cake in the freezer for months!  Before that, I would eat the vanilla ice cream and save the crunchies for Joel, what a sister ey?

Leaning in to blow out the candles - 1988.

Dancing with mom at our house on Isaar Road!

I wanted to add a few photos to give Joel a little shout out.  Man he was a fiery little youngster, always wearing his button collar shirts and running around without a care in the world.  I mean, there are only a few people I know that can pull off yellow trousers as well as Joel!

Joel at Jen's for his Birthday!  Birthday boys get good specials, and the necklace!

We look forward to celebrating this day each year and taking some time to reflect on what an amazing life and boy was born on 2/27/86.

Happy Birthday Joel!