Joseph "Joe" M. Kiser

PLAINVIEW -- Joseph "Joe" Kiser, 68 of Plainview, passed away on April 28, 2026, at his residence in Plainview, following a long illness. No services are planned at this time. Stonacek Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Joe was born in Norfolk, Nebraska and grew up in Randolph, Nebraska, the son of Francis and Bernice Kiser. He graduated from Randolph High School and attended Northeast Nebraska Tech for auto mechanics. He moved to Denver, Colorado, but eventually returned to the Nebraska small-town life that he preferred. He resided in Pierce and Plainview with his long-time partner Kim Bates. Joe’s life was characterized by his musical talent; athleticism; love of the outdoors; DIY hobbies; and love for family, friends, and dogs. Joe was a talented drummer who played in the 1980’s with the Crystal River Band, a Colorado country and bluegrass band, Joe affectionately dubbed “Bear” by his bandmates. In Colorado, Joe was invited to fill in for the regular drummer of Grammy Award winning artist Freddy Fender. In Nebraska, he lent his talents to a variety of bands, Joe adapting easily to different styles of music. Joe spent his final working years as a roofer, having acquired experience earlier in life with home builder Paul Borst, a Randolph neighbor. Joe felt right at home on the roof, a trade he truly missed. Naturally strong from a young age, Joe brought home a first-place gold trophy for excelling at all three skills in the Ford Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition for 8 – 13-year-olds, kicking the football an impressively long distance for his age. He later pursued outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, golfing, walking and bicycling around Willow Creek Lake in Pierce, and hiking at Gavins Point Dam. His hobbies included tinkering with cars and was somewhat of a Radio Shack geek. He was always happy when the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears won. As he slowed down later in life, he stayed active by taking walks around town, and with his partner Kim, enjoyed an occasional trip to Lewis and Clark Lake and trying their luck at a casino. Joe was unique, with a one-of-a-kind voice and was a fountain of little-known information. If you had the opportunity to speak with Joe, you were sure to learn something new. He is survived by partner Kim Bates; brother Rob (Mary) Kiser, Bulverde, TX; sister Sally Kiser, Denver, CO; sister Susan Sullivan (Sherif Said), Denver, CO; sister Jenny Kiser, Hayden, CO; and five nieces and three great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Fran Kiser Cochrane, brothers Pete Kiser and Tony Kiser, nephew Matt Cochrane, and great niece Saskia Cochrane. Memories of Joe may be shared at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

Tributes

Joseph "Joe" M. Kiser

July 18, 1957 - April 28, 2026