Joseph “Joe” Patrick Wren passed away outside of Lenore, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, just a few days shy of turning 32. Joe was born Aug. 13, 1994, in Lewiston, where he grew up. He was the oldest of four, but he had countless cousins and friends that he loved like his own siblings. He spent time with his cousins and friends all over the map whenever he had the chance.

Joe graduated from Lewiston High School in 2012 and proceeded to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry in 2016. Perhaps more notably, he was a founder and core member of the “Keystone House” and its legacy lives on. He eventually moved to Orofino where he spent eight years before moving to Peck earlier this year.

Joe’s love for the outdoors fueled his career, working as a wildland firefighter in the summers for Idaho Department of Lands, Forest Service and CDA Helitack before being hired as a forester for the Idaho Department of Lands. He had recently been approved as an HVAC apprentice for the State of Idaho to help his buddy Matt. Joe was humble and cared more about spending his time in the forest than he did about making money, which suited him as he was incredibly frugal. For example, he and his roommates would participate in the “fun” challenge of “No Heat November” where the first person to turn the heat on would pay the energy bill for the month of November. Joe was proud to admit he never turned the heat on, instead bundling up from head to toe, sleeping in a 0° sleeping bag under his sheets, and leaving the oven open any time after cooking to get a quick warm up. There are few who would go such lengths to avoid paying a $40 dollar energy bill, but this describes Joe to a tee. Silly, competitive, determined (some would say stubborn), and as just described unbelievably frugal. Joe did anything and everything one could do outdoors. He loved to fish, hunt, snowboard, attend concerts and festivals, and drive miles upon miles listening to 106.9 and 97.7, winning every radio contest, and singing loudly. He could be found frequenting the small bars of Orofino, Lewiston and Peck, always socializing, and often sporting a hot pink Golden Girls T-shirt and a Keystone. Joe found his match for the love of the outdoors and bundled up energy with his beloved dog, Annie, who never left his side, a dynamic duo.

Joe was known by so many as he was a man who never knew a stranger. Whether a person sitting on the street, in passing at a concert, someone he knew from childhood or recently met, Joe gave everyone the time of day and went out of his way to have a conversation with them. Joe was always smiling, always friendly, always helpful, always joking. He loved deeply and cared fiercely for his friends and family. He was incredibly stubborn and determined, but had a very tender heart and wore his Faith proudly, not loudly.

He is survived by his parents Gerald (Mac) and Jennifer, his siblings Amy (Chris) Wilks, Danielle Wren and Benjamin (Sarah) Wren, nephews Cooper Wilks and Charlie Wren, half-sister Erica (Brendon) Baldus, (Tevyn, Truett and Trinley) grandfather Patrick Edens, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jake and Marianne Wren, Mary Edens and his childhood dog, Miko. He will be tremendously and forever missed by his family and friends.

A rosary will be recited 10:20 a.m., Friday, Sept. 4, with a Mass celebrated at 11 a.m., at All Saints Catholic Church, 3330 14th St., Lewiston. All are welcome. A reception will follow for all from 12:30-3:30 p.m., at Lindsay Creek Vineyards 3107 Powers Ave., Lewiston.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joe’s name to Nez Perce County Search and Rescue.

The family would like to thank the Nez Perce County Search and Rescue; the sheriff’s departments of Nez Perce County, Clearwater County, Idaho County, Minidoka County; Nez Perce Tribal Police; Idaho Department of Lands; the Hill family along with the countless friends and family for their continued efforts to search for Joe…”that might not mean much to you but it does to me.”