Age 86 of Newport

August 14, 1939 ~ July 23, 2026

Joseph John Lotti passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.

Joe was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, the second child of Quinto and Elizabeth “Betty” Lotti. He graduated from Marlborough High School in 1957 and, after about a year of work, joined the Navy, where he served honorably as an air logistics specialist until 1963. After airline trade school, he was hired by Northwest Airlines. He was a proud employee of Northwest for the next 41 years—in New York, Spokane, and Minneapolis/St. Paul—and only grudgingly acknowledged that he actually retired from Delta. After retirement, he volunteered, worked part-time at Gertens, a Toyota dealership, and the Woodbury YMCA, and generally stayed as busy as possible until Alzheimer’s began slowing him down in 2020.

Joe married the love of his life, Mary Ellen (Mel) Keech, on November 12th, 1983. He was a loving and devoted husband for all of their 42 years together. Joe made it a practice to call Mel terms of endearment that included Sweetheart, Darling, Honey Bunch, and Sweetie, to name a few. In his last years, Mel was his North Star; if she was in the room, he knew he was “home” and safe.

In 1992, Joe’s life and eternity were changed when he and Mel both gave their lives to Jesus. Joe loved reading his Bible and wrote out many journals of Scripture. He was involved in men’s Bible study and many years of prison ministry. Listening to worship music, singing and praising the Lord were favorite parts of his days. He continued to raise his hands and mouth the words of praise even on his last day!

Joe was the proud father of Quinto, Michael, and Christina from his first marriage and Little Chief and Noah from his second. He was delighted to be loving “Grandpa Joe” to Rebekah, Levi, Dan, Fiona, Jonathan, Marcus, Maria, and Niko. And he was truly happy to be fun “Uncle Joe” to numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Joe will be remembered for many things:

  • His strong Christian faith.
  • His love of baseball at all levels. He played as a kid, and he particularly enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play. He was also a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.
  • Being a tenacious player of cribbage, canasta, and hand-and-foot. Amazingly, he played cribbage like a pro until about a month before his death!
  • His love for the outdoors, camping, and fishing.
  • Being a lover of cats, dogs, and animals of all kinds.
  • His personable nature: he could quickly make friends with anyone he encountered.
  • Having a firm belief in—and being an example of—the value of hard work.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Quinto and Elizabeth Lotti; stepmother Elmina Lotti; sister Ellen Bouvier; niece Dianne Ellis; father-in-law Clyde Keech; mother-in-law Mabel Reinitz; brothers-in-laws Mike Gits, Jim Goblirsch, Jeff Jackelen, Richard Keech, Paul Moberg and Jonathan Roth; niece Trudy Grapentine Green; and nephew Greg Grapentine.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife Mary Ellen Lotti; children Quinto Lotti (Rita), Michael Lotti (Tricia), Christina Lotti, Little Chief Lotti, and Noah Lotti (partner Tarenee Irish); and “bonus” children Heather Groothius (Chris), Sarah Herr (Brian McDonough), and Ericka Shepersky (Jim Peerboom); by grandchildren Rebekah Cedar (partner Keegan Freiburger), Levi Lotti, Dan Coulliard, Fiona Lotti, Jonathan Lotti, Marcus Lotti (Saige), Maria Lotti (Jaden Anderson), and Niko Lotti; foster children Chad, Shane, Angela, Tyler, Tony, Charles, and Scott; and “bonus” grandchildren Adam Herr, Elijah McDonough, A. J. Peerboom, and Aleks and Rayne Shepersky.

Joe is also survived by in-laws Bonnie “Bon Bon” Keech, Patricia Keech Moberg, Beverly “Sweetie” Carey, Cindy Jackelen, Nancy Graumann (Steven), Sue “Suzy Q” Clegg (Steve), Shirley “Shirley Girl” Roth, Julie Wychor (Bill), Bill Keech (Kathy), godsons Michael Maguire and Eric Kelsey, Aunt Lu Grack, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and other loved ones; dear family friend and caregiver Daisy Lynn Dream; friends and cruise buddies Curt and Pat Kaehler; high school friend Fred St. Laurent (Joan); and tremendous caregivers Brenda Hohneke, Mavis, Tarenee Irish, and Tollie.

Joe’s family and friends wish to thank Synergy HomeCare, Senior Home Health Care, Ebenezer Daybreak, the VA Hospital, Southview Acres Health Care Center, and Lake Valley Hospice for their expert and compassionate care for Joe.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to any worthy charity in honor of Joe’s generous nature.

Visitation 1:00–3:00 pm and Funeral Service 3:00 pm on Friday, July 31st at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. The service will be live streamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a26075734704227.

Private inurnment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.