Giuseppe “Joe ” Milani was born October 16, 1915, in Cargedolo, Italy. He was one of seven children born to Amerigo and Clotilde Milani. He married Domenica Balducchi on September 19, 1945. Eleven years later he left his homeland for America, to provide greater opportunities for his family. He settled in Madrid, Iowa.
Joe became a U. S. citizen on September 3, 1968. He was a faithful member of St. Malachys Catholic Church. He was a WW ll Veteran and the oldest member of the Societa Vittoria Italiana of Des Moines, Iowa. He was a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather and lived for his family. A bricklayer by trade he loved making and building things. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and telling stories. Even though he was physically in the United States, his mind, spirit, and soul were always revisiting his beloved Italian countryside of his homeland. Giuseppe “Nonno” died at The Sanctuary At The Shore in Grand Haven, Michigan on January 29, 2011.
He is survived by his children, Clotilde “Tilda” Thompson and husband Chuck of Ames, Ia. , Rico Milani and wife Julie of Commerce Township, Michigan, and Rose Perrier and husband Brent of Grand Haven, Michigan; 12 grandchildren, Rita, Rebecca, Michelle, Michael, Nic, Maggie, Tina, Elizabeth, Alexandra, Anthony, Anna Rose, and Olivia; 2 greatgrandchildren Ethan and Lucy. Two sisters Diva Cervetti of Italy, and Sophia Battani of Waukee, Ia. and many nieces and nephews.
Giuseppe was preceded into eternal life by his wife of 60 years Domenica, his parents, and daughter Rena Krug, his brothers Armando and Sivio, his sisters Oliva and Rosa.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday , February 5, 2011, at 10:30 am at St. Malachys Catholic Church in Madrid, Iowa, with burial following at Mt. Hope Cemetery south of Madrid.