Joel Brian Mcmaster

Joel Brian McMaster passed away February 10, 2018, after a seven year battle with cancer.

Joel was born September 6, 1971. He was raised in Moorhead and graduated Moorhead High School in 1989. He was an indifferent student and social butterfly, who charmed everyone he encountered. After graduation he worked at Sun Valley Products, where he met his future wife, Danelle Cossette. They married in 1994. After settling into married life, he picked up new hobbies including ping pong, martial arts, distance running, camping, tree climbing, scuba diving, motocross, auto racing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, diving, and so many others we’ve lost track. He was never one to sit still. They loved to travel, both locally and to the beaches of Mexico. He talked to everyone, everywhere, about everything.

Joel and Danelle had two children, Riley and Olivia, and they became his favorite fellow adventurers. From somersaults off the roof to snorkeling the coral reefs, he loved having them as partners in his wild adventures. His greatest accomplishment was being a dad, and he cherished every minute with his kids. He taught them to be brave and kind and they are.

After becoming a family man, he looked at new career options. Firefighter was the least dangerous job on his wish list, so he completed EMT training at FM Ambulance. In 2004 he became a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Aberdeen Fire Department. He found the paramedic component of his job so rewarding that he completed a nursing degree at Presentation College and took a second job as an ER nurse at Sanford Hospital in Aberdeen. He was a gifted caregiver who saved many lives.

In 2011 he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Cancer robbed him of the ability to be his active self, a devastating blow to such a gifted athlete. He endured numerous surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation so that he could have more time with his family. Our only comfort in his death is knowing he no longer feels pain.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Danelle, children Riley and Olivia; parents John and Donna (Moorhead); sister Darcy (Minneapolis); and cherished friends Bev and Arnie Svarstad (Aberdeen). He found peace in fellowship at New Life Church. He is preceded in death by his grandparents; his uncle Brian; and his beloved in-laws, Andy and Donna Cossette.

His family is grateful to his dedicated and caring doctors and nurses at Sanford, Mayo Clinic, and Avera for their kindness and hard work these past six years.

Please, go get a colonoscopy.