Meet The Owners | Wild Strawberry Lodge

Joshua Badder was born and raised in South Central Iowa, in a small farming community of 800. Joshua grew up loving the outdoors—fishing, hunting, and exploring every opportunity he had. Joining Boy Scouts at a young age was a perfect match and allowed Joshua to excel in his favorite outdoor hobbies.

By high school Joshua learned quickly his passion for the outdoors exceeded any passion for academics or athletics. Once a legal driver at the age of 16, the activities were limitless and continued to grow. Joshua enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing, fur bearer trapping, turtle trapping—to name a few. Joshua earned the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 17. Graduating from Lamoni High School in 2005 Joshua enrolled in college with the plans of getting into forestry management and fish biology. College was a quick stop for Joshua, when it became evident that the classroom was not nearly as fun as the real thing. Joshua enrolled in Missouri Western State University law enforcement academy in winter of 2007 and graduated in May of 2008.

Joshua was hired by the Dekalb County Missouri Sheriff’s Office out of academy, and was a road Deputy for two years. Right around this time is when Joshua started dating Meghan Dunagan who in less than a year became his wife. Joshua and Meghan were married in the summer of 2010 in Santa Cruz, California. From there, Joshua and Meghan moved back and forth from California to Missouri two times.

Joshua began his sales career in 2010 in Santa Cruz selling cars at Ocean Honda of Santa Cruz. Joshua excelled quickly in the automotive business, building a career for himself and his family. In 2014, Joshua and Meghan gave birth to their first and only child, Riley Badder. In 2017, Joshua and Meghan relocated to Kansas City Missouri to be closer to family and
friends. This is when Joshua left the time demanding automotive business for a new career in heavy equipment sales. Joshua excelled quickly again, building a brand in the Missouri and Kansas markets selling SANY heavy equipment.

Joshua started taking his passion for fishing and hunting all over the world, taking yearly trips to Alaska, Africa, Canada, Brazil and more. It was in this time that it was clear to Joshua, he wanted hunting and fishing to be at the center of his career and lifestyle. The vacations and weekends weren’t enough. Joshua paired with his good friend and co-worker Justin Karleski. The two made a vow to buy a fishing operation in Alaska and began the search in 2022.

In the fall of 2023 Joshua and Justin came across a family-owned fishing charter and lodge in Sitka, Alaska. “Wild Strawberry Lodge/Alaska Premier Charters” a gem in Southeast Alaska, operating in some of the best sportfishing waters in the world. Joshua and Justin purchased the lodge at the end of 2023 from the founder, Theresa Weiser.

Joshua and family are now making the big life transition to being lodge owners and splitting their time between Kansas City and Sitka. The story continues, but the passion has never changed. Joshua is looking forward to making memories and continuing the great tradition of Wild Strawberry Lodge.

See you all soon, let’s go fishing!

Justin Karleski, a native of Milton, Wisconsin, embodies the adventurous spirit of the Midwest, now flourishing as the proud owner of Wild Strawberry Lodge in Sitka, Alaska. Justin’s journey from the heart of Wisconsin to the rugged landscapes of Alaska is a testament to his unwavering passion for the great outdoors and his commitment to pursuing his dreams.

Growing up in the heartland, Justin’s childhood was a tapestry of outdoor adventures. From exhilarating hunting expeditions and tranquil fishing trips to spirited four-wheeling escapades and competitive sports matches, Justin developed a deep appreciation for the thrill of exploration and the camaraderie of outdoor activities.

With a natural flair for connecting with people, Justin found his calling in the world of sales. For years, he honed his skills, building relationships and fostering connections with clients across various industries. Yet, amidst his success in sales, Justin’s heart remained tethered to his love for nature and adventure.