Joseph "Joe" L. Mannelly

Joseph Luke Mannelly, age 64, of Noblesville, Indiana, died on March 30, 2026 surrounded by love. Joe was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois on February 11, 1962. He spent most of his childhood in Edina, Minnesota and his married life in Savage, Minnesota and later in Noblesville, Indiana. He also lived in Woodland Hills, California, Bettendorf, Iowa and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Joe was a proud graduate of The Blake School in Hopkins, MN, Class of 1981. Based on his love for Mountain Dew during middle school, he became affectionately known as “Dew Man,” and was widely known as the life of the party when friends gathered in his parents’ basement to play pool and listen to music. At Blake, he was the manager of the boys’ varsity hockey team, and an integral member of the boys’ varsity soccer and track teams. In his senior year, he was elected Homecoming King and was the deserving recipient of the John Grafton Burgess Memorial Award, given to the senior “who best models openness and honesty; exhibits the highest academic and ethical standards; has shown accountability in their decisions, actions and consequences; and inspires others to lead their lives with honesty and integrity.”

Against his high school guidance counselor’s advice, he applied to just one college, The University of Notre Dame, where he was accepted and graduated in 1985. At Notre Dame, he became known as “Smoker” tied to the boxer Smokin Joe Frazier. He was an active participant in both student activities and the local South Bend community. He coached the South Bend Youth Hockey League’s version of the Bad News Bears, which of course under Joe’s tutelage won the city championship! He even auditioned for and was the runner-up to be the Notre Dame’s famous mascot, “The Leprechaun.” Loving both Notre Dame football and hockey, Joe followed both teams avidly throughout his life. Joe celebrated every touchdown by playing the Fighting Irish song at maximum, deafening, volume.

After college graduation, Joe thrived professionally at 3M as a Sales Manager in the Industrial Tape Division and later as a Regional Sales Manager for Chemrex (BASF) and its Industrial Adhesives division, before he retired early.

Joe met the love of his life, Joann Brinker, in May 1990 when she went to his home to play volleyball. They married on May 26, 2005 and had a wonderful love and life together as their bond grew deeper over the years. Two weeks after celebrating the gift of marriage with Joann, Joe received another incredible gift of life through a life-saving organ donation on June 6, 2005. Almost twenty-one years later, on March 26, 2026 he was gifted another organ donation. Sadly, an infection, took his physical life. He will remain forever in Joann’s heart and inspire her through the remainder of her life, and she will continue to feel surround by his presence and love through the relationships, family and friendships he cultivated.

Joe’s spirit was all about people and community. He was a team manager in the International Pond Hockey Championships, a girls soccer coach, an activist in the Prior Lake-Savage communities and served on the Blake Alumni board. He loved initiating events like the “Bears Across America” volunteer day. Music was another passion. He adored Irish bands, John Denver, The Sound of Music, religious songs as well as many artists from the 70’s and 80’s. Golf and a good sandwich brought him great joy, and he was always enthusiastic to captain his prized pontoon boat for a spin around the lake or engage in competitive card games. Joe also loved to plan a regular cadence of cruises and other trips, as he and Joann pursued their U.S. and world travel interests. His concierge services were always open to anyone else needing help with travel or concert tickets. Joe cherished connections, and loved catching up with friends, always showing deep empathy for what they were going through. He was a true fighter and an inspiration, a rare gem in today’s world.

Faith was a cornerstone of Joe’s life, both in God and in people. His optimism was infectious and he inspired those around him to be their best selves. Joe’s generosity, acceptance, humor, and kind heart left an indelible mark on everyone he met. One of his life goals was to make sure that people felt uplifted after interacting with him. Even after 36 years as Joe’s life partner, Joann remains astonished at Joe’s humility, kindness and ability to inspire others to the very end. In his last two weeks, Joann watched Joe reach out to his ICU nurse to hold her hand and comfort her, while he told her how much she and the other nurses mean to their patients. Joe also acknowledged the sadness and loss that the nurse faced after he learned the transplant patient next door to him had died. You can only imagine the impact this had on her, and on Joann.

Joann was recently reminded how palpable Joe’s love for her was. In Joann’s words, “Joe was the best person I have ever met, and I am honored to have been his partner.” As one of his nieces said, “he was the best of us.”

Just a few weeks before he passed, he only once said, “If”… and followed it with “Joann, look how far you’ve grown since we met. You will be ok. You can do this.” Joann encourages everyone who knew and loved Joe to hold onto those words the next time you need a little inspiration. He loved and believed in each and every one of us.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, James ‘Jim’ Patrick Mannelly and Marguerite 'Cissy' Mannelly; and brothers, Patrick Mannelly and Michael Mannelly. He is survived by his wife, Joann Brinker-Mannelly; brother, Matthew (Kathy) Mannelly; sisters, Maureen (Steve) Tomlin, Eileen Land and Colleen (Forrest) Jones; sisters-in-law, Janice Mannelly, Lillian (Michael) Morris, and Kimberly (Eric) Knittle; 23 nieces and nephews and 13 great-nieces and great-nephews. He was also an honorary brother, uncle and grandpa to many.

We are grateful to the many dedicated people at The Mayo Clinic, for their support over the last twenty-one years. Their belief in Joe and compassionate care had a significant impact on his life.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake, MN. Additional Visitation from 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM on Friday, April 17, 2026 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. An Irish wake beginning at 3:30 - 7:00 PM will be on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at The Local – West End, 1607 Park Place Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN. A Mass dedicated to him will be held at 11:00 AM with a visitation from 10:00-10:45 AM on Saturday April 25, 2026 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 410 S. Pearl St Cicero, IN with a gathering following at a location to be updated soon. Joe will be laid to rest in Indiana at a later date.

Joe's Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church will be livestreamed through: St. Mike's Youtube.

Joe had a special love for the color green. In honor of his vibrant spirit, we invite everyone to wear “a wee bit of” green during the services to celebrate his life.

As we reflect on Joe’s life, consider honoring him by spreading acts of kindness in his name and signing up to be an organ donor. Small donations for future masses in his name are appreciated.

The world is a better place because Joe was in it, and he will be greatly missed!