Joseph "Joe" James Krenik, 89, of Hermantown, passed away on March 8, 2025. Joe was born December 30, 1935 in Saint Peter, MN to the late Joseph L. and Susan Krenik. He grew up on a family farm in Le Sueur County, MN and graduated from Le Center High School. He moved to Duluth in the late-1950's and settled in the Woodland neighborhood where he lived for many years before relocating to Hermantown. Joe was employed by the D.M. & I.R. Railroad for 33 years before retiring in 1990. His favorite assignment was track inspection. He walked every single mile of track in the D.M. & I.R. railroad's circuit, covering 10-15 miles per day. During his retirement years he greatly enjoyed exploring the country, traveling by car, motorcycle and pickup truck. He also enjoyed hiking, biking and doing yard work. He was an avid outdoorsman his entire life and maintained an active interest in nature. He will be fondly remembered for his sense of adventure and keen sense of humor, but most of all for his positive outlook on life and his love of family and friends. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brother, Father Robert Krenik; brother-in-law, Lyle Pundt; nephew, Wesley Pundt; and many dear aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 40 years, Darlene Koski; sons, Kevin (Lisa) Krenik and Kurt (Mary) Krenik; step-sons, John Koski and Russ Koski; step-daughter, Sandra (Pat) Kenney; grandsons, Cole (Maddison) Krenik and Kyle (Leanna) Krenik; step-grandsons, Michael (Maria) and Noah Koski; step-granddaughters, Lezlie and Lauren Kelzenberg; great-grandsons, Stetson and Shepherd Krenik; step-great-grandsons, Emilio and Santiago Koski, and Caden Beck; sister, Susanne Pundt; nephew, Marty (Marie) Pundt; niece-in-law, Shelly Pundt; grandnephews, William, Robert Joseph ("RJ"), Wesley and Lyle Pundt; grandniece, Shelby Pundt; and many dear extended family members and friends. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the Caring Edge Hospice team and the staff at Edgewood Hermantown Memory Care for the kind, compassionate care they provided for Joe. A visitation to be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 30th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, with funeral service at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at The City of Hermantown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joe's memory to the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota ( https://parksandtrails.org) or the D & IR Railroad Depot Museum, Two Harbors, MN ( https://lakecountyhistoricalsociety.org)