West Bend, WI – Joseph “Joey” Hugo Minz, 91, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at The Kathy Hospice in West Bend. Joey was born on November 13, 1931, in the Town of Fredonia to Albert and Marie (nee Bein) Minz.
From the age of 17 he was self-employed, starting by collecting and selling scrap rags and paper. Over the years, while working construction on the side, Joey built a scrap iron business.
In 1978, he began working with Marie “Cookie” Minz (nee Ohm). Joey and Cookie were married in June 1981 at King Park in Sheboygan, and soon after established J&M Minz Steel Sales.
After several years of traveling throughout the Midwest to tear down and scrap old factories, water towers, and bridges, Joey and Cookie established a shop and residence on Highway G near Campbellsport, a place that Joe loved and worked on until his final days.
Joey’s passion for work and love of a job well done was evident in everything he did. He was known for being the best around with a blowtorch and sincerely loved getting to work every morning. Many of his friends and family will fondly remember how consistently hardworking Joey was and how much he enjoyed finding solutions to the day-to-day challenges of his trade.
Joey held a deep passion for playing music throughout much of his life. At age 21, he began performing country music in bars, clubs, and at local festivals, where he made many lifelong friends and connections as he became known in the area for his guitar playing and excellent singing voice. In later years, Joey loved nothing more than performing duets of country standards with his wife under the name “Joey Minz and Cookie.”
Joe also loved riding motorcycles. He and Cookie saw much of the United States on the back of a motorcycle during their many riding trips around the country. As a young man, Joey was a member of the infamous “Barton Gang,” an outfit of rough riders (and married men) that roamed the area around Barton, Wisconsin in the 1950s. He also enjoyed fishing, visiting his countless friends and family members, and above all, being with his loving and devoted wife Cookie.
Joe is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marie; children and stepchildren Lexi (Tim), Mark (Debbie), Gale, Rusty, Becky, David, Brenda, and Rochelle; father-in-law Frank Ohm, brothers-in law Michael Ohm, Matthew (Tess) Ohm, sister Adeline Dyer and Sisters-in-law Mae Minz, Monica (Chad) Allaback, and Melissa Ohm; nieces and nephews Shelley (Gib), Michael (Sam), Caroline and Trent Allaback, He is further survived by many great, great-great, and three-times-great nieces and nephews, as well as numerous customers, fans of his music, and close friends.
Joey is preceded in death by his parents, Brothers Artie and Carl Minz, and sisters Katie and Rosie Minz.
Joe’s family would like to thank the staff at the Kathy Hospice of West Bend for all their kindness and care in making his time there comfortable and restful.
A Funeral Service will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095) with Pastor John C. Bass presiding. Visitation will be prior on Friday, July 28 at the funeral home 3 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. Interment will then be August 12, 2023 at the Newark Cemetery.
Below is a story that ran last week about Cookie and Joe.
One of the swing-your-partner staples at Early Farm Days in Kewaskum, Wi will be sorely missed as Joe Minz of the locally famous duo, Cookie & Joe has died at the age of 91. Dressed in his traditional black hat, black vest and shirt to match, Joe would provide the music on electric guitar and Cookie would bring back ole’ country favorites including ‘Ring of Fire’ by Johnny Cash, ‘Hey Good Lookin’ by Hank Williams, and songs by Patsy Cline.
Joseph Hugo “Joey” Minz, 91, of West Bend, WI passed away on July 11, 2023.
Visitation will take place Friday, July 28, 2023, from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 5 p.m. officiated by Rev. John C. Bass at Philip Funeral Home Chapel, 1420 W. Paradise Drive, West Bend, WI.
Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to FREE local news at
Washington County Insider on YouTube
A full obituary will be posted when it becomes available.
