Joel Frederick Bulthuis was born June 28, 1960 to Richard and Helen Bulthuis at Clara City, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Bunde Christian Reform Church. Joel attended school in Clara City and graduated in 1978. He then went to St. Cloud Vo-Tech. Joel was united in marriage to Tamara Grussing on August 19, 1989 at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City, Minnesota. They were blessed with three children, Anna, Alex and Alaina all at home.

Joel is survived by his wife Tamara; children Anna, Alex and Alaina of Delano, Minnesota, mother Helen Goertzen of Hutchinson, Minnesota, brother Ronald (Mary) Bulthuis of Rice, Minnesota, sisters Brenda (Dennis) Dummer of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Peggy (Mike) Slaghter of Lynchburg, Virginia, Pat (Jim) Philipske of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Debbie (Gene) Wales of Maple Grove, MN, and Joy (Eric) Halstrom of Peoria, Arizona. Also surviving are several aunts and one uncle, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his father Richard Bulthuis and mother-in-law Lavonne Grussing.

Joel enjoyed spending time with his family, family vacations, working outside on his yard and in the garden. Joel was quite a handyman, woodworker, perfectionist and great at everything he touched. He will be deeply missed. Joel passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 1 p.m. at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City, Minnesota. Interment want in the Bunde Christian Reformed Church Cemetery in Bunde, Minnesota.