Joseph Paul Hurlimann

Joe Hurlimann was born in Etna on July 27, 1934 and was a life long resident of Scott Valley. With the exception of the time he spent in the military and attended college, Joe spent his entire life in Scott Valley. Joe was the son of Swiss immigrants and did not learn english until attending Etna Elementary School. Joe was active while attending Etna High School and participated in football, basketball, track, baseball and FFA. While playing running back on the football team he would often take hand-offs from the quarterback, Tony Hanna, who later became Joe's brother-in-law and lifelong friend. Joe held the County record in track for the 880 and played second base in baseball. While in FFA, Joe made many trips to the Cow Palace selling steers and pigs. One year at the Cow Palace he won the greased pig competition. Following high school, Joe attended college at OTI in Klamath Falls studying auto mechanics and was also on the ski team while at OTI. Joe had a love for motorcycles and a motorcycle was his main source of transportation when going back and forth between home and college. Joe's education served him well after getting drafted into the Army shortly after college. After military training at Fort Ord (CA), Fort Jackson (SC), and some time at Fort Dix (NJ), he finished out his two years of military service in Germany. While stationed at the Aschaffenburg Army base in West Germany he would visit cousins in Switzerland when he had the chance and was able to brush up on his Swiss. After returning home from Germany and completing his military service, Joe found his sweetheart, Kathleen Johnson. Joe got to know Kathleen during conversations over the fence of neighboring ranches. Their relationship resulted in 51 years of marriage and four sons. Joe spent the majority of his life working on the family ranch after taking over a portion of the ranch following the death of his father Ben. Joe was kind and appreciative to all those that worked for him on the ranch. Joe was a master at ranch math and had a gift for gab for those that visited the ranch. Joe never shied away from political discussions and had many conversations at the granary and through pickup windows. Joe was an authority on local genealogy and often explained family trees by describing who a person was off of. Joe spent his final days at home with family, friends, and outstanding caregivers that were attentive to his every need. Joe is survived by his sister Mary Ann Hanna, brother-in-law Tony Hanna, son John (Kellie) Hurlimann of Folsom, CA, son Luke (Wendy) of Scott Valley, son Larry (Cambria) of Burlington, WA, and son Ben (Lisa) of Eugene, OR. Joe's many grandchildren include; Alex and Kacie (Gavin) (John); Kaden (Angelee), Crawford, and Kalista (Luke); Delaney and Dawson (Larry); Dylan, Wyatt, and Vallory (Ben). Great grandchildren include; Wilder and Annabelle (Alex) and Hazel (Kacie). Joe also has numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Joe is preceded in death by his wife Kathleen, mother Frieda, father Ben, and brother Ben Jr. A memorial funeral Mass for Joe will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Jones on Friday October 24th at 1:30 PM. A graveside service and reception will follow the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Madrone Hospice at 255 Collier Circle, Yreka CA 96097.

Joseph Paul Hurlimann

July 27, 1934 - October 6, 2025