Joe Hollcraft.

We are very heavey hearts and sadden to post this but Joesph is a former Reds baseball player. He will be missed so very deeply. our thoughts and prayers go out to Joes Family as we comfort them in these tough times

Joseph Lawrence Hollcraft, 22, of Phoenix, AZ, and formerly of Crookston, MN and Chico, CA, passed away on August 30 in Phoenix, AZ.  Joseph was born in Chico, CA on July 16, 1994, the second of six children, to Ray and Monica Hollcraft.  He was baptized at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Chico.  When Joseph was three years old, he moved with his family to Crookston, MN.  Joseph was educated at home for grades K-11, and attended his senior year at Crookston High School, where he graduated from in 2012.  Joseph was a very active member of his church, school, and community.  He received the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where he was a member of the Life Teen Program, as well as an ‘Apostle’ for the Edge program and staff leader for the St. John Paul II Camp. Joseph participated in Crookston city and Pirate athletics, including football, basketball, and baseball – baseball was his favorite! In his senior year, Joseph enjoyed becoming a part of the Crookston High School drama program by participating in the One Act Play Tracks and a production of Cinderella.  He was runner-up of the high school’s Mr. CHS contest.  After high school, Joseph moved back to his hometown of Chico, CA, where he reconnected with lifelong family friends and made many new ones, while becoming a part of his Uncle Joe and Aunt Jackie Hollcraft’s family. From August of 2014 to May of 2015, Joseph served with NET (National Evangelization Teams) ministries, traveling around the United States bringing the love and Word of Christ to teens and their families.  It was on NET that Joseph met his ‘Favorite,’ Mariah Butcher. Joseph remained with his family in Crookston for the summer months of 2015 before returning to Chico. While in Chico, both before and after NET, Joseph – always the servant – shared his love for God through ministry with the Life Teen and Edge Programs, Seeds of Truth Ministries, and Catholic Newman Outreach.  In June of 2016, Joseph moved to Phoenix, AZ, where he loved spending more time with Mariah and her family, and continued to share his love with teens through the Life Teen program at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Scottsdale, AZ. 
Joseph was a humble, simple, selfless young man, who left an impression on everyone he met; he sought peace with the Lord and was a calming presence to those around him; by his example he inspired people to be their best and had a way of making everyone feel special and loved; he had a pure radiating  joy that spilled over, filling those he loved – family, friends, neighbors and strangers.
So grateful to have shared in Joseph’s life are his parents, Monica Hollcraft and Ray Hollcraft; siblings Shen Maria, Aaron, Rachel, Hannah, and Gianna; grandmothers Barbara White and Maureen Hollcraft; numerous aunts and uncles, 53 cousins, his godmother Debbie Rosales and his dearest love, Mariah Butcher.  He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Lawrence White and Robert Hollcraft, cousin Bobby Hollcraft, baby brother Isaac Anthony Hollcraft, and godfather Steve Rosales.  Joseph will be sadly missed by so many, whose lives he touched by his selflessness, love, pure joy in life, and goofy sense of humor.  
Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 10, 2016, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Visitation will be at the Cathedral on Friday from 4-7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, and also for one hour prior to the funeral. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home is assisting the Hollcraft family with arrangements. www.stenshoelhouske.com.