James Joseph Wilt

James Joseph "Joe" Wilt, born in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of George Richard and Elizabeth Ann (Fogarty) Wilt, passed away unexpectedly on January 31st, 2025 at home at the age of 47. Joe grew up in Logan, Iowa and Spring Grove, Minnesota. He graduated from Spring Grove High School. Joe attended Western Technical College and earned his associate degree in Computer Science. He moved to the Twin Cities in Minnesota after college and worked in the IT industry for approximately 16 years when he decided to change careers and start his own business doing video production work, graphics, and marketing. Joe grew up playing several musical instruments, played in the school band and participated in school plays. He was a Boy Scout and earned his Eagle award. Joe met his wife Erikka Maren White after moving to the Twin Cities. They married in 2013 in Wexford, Ireland. Joe enjoyed playing golf, volleyball and softball, going to amusement parks and traveling, whether it was flying somewhere new or road-tripping. He enjoyed playing the guitar, singing and anything musical. He loved movies, playing board games, video games and spending time with friends and family. He cared about his family and friends deeply and loved to surprise them with special treats and experiences, and always went above and beyond to make them feel special.

Joe is survived by his wife Erikka Wilt of 11 years, his two children Hugh (7 years) and Astrid (1 year), sister Melissa Wilt (Bill McCloskey), brother Dustin Wilt, mother Elizabeth Wilt-Cable, step-brothers Matt Cable and Steve Cable (Courtney), sisters-in-law Sigrid VanDemark (Tony) and Maja Nunez (Eddie), brother-in-law Rolf White (Jolene), nieces Christa, Annika, Leia, Theda and Allison, nephews Lars, Soren, Silas, Nate, Matthew, Soren, Harrison, Asher and Alistar.

Joe is preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Mary Wilt, Joseph and Loretta Fogarty, his father George Richard Wilt, step-father James Karl Cable, uncles Bill Fogarty, Rodger Fehr, Bob Wilt, and nephew Seth Garland.

Interment in Iowa on Saturday, March 15.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association or planting a tree in Joe's memory.