Joan Van Lerberghe

GRANITE FALLS — Mass of Christian Burial for Joan Van Lerberghe will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Granite Falls. A public visitation will take place from 10-11 a.m. at the church with a private family service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial in St. Andrew’s Cemetery will follow the service.

Joan died due to COVID 19 Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud. 

Joan Kathleen (DeRider) Van Lerberghe was born July 6, 1934, in Russell, to Charles and Alice (Ossen) DeRider. 

She grew up on the family farm and attended school in Russell. As Joan entered her teens, she began her lifelong calling as a caregiver when she went to stay with another family to help care for their children. On Oct. 14, 1950, she was united in marriage to Raymond Van Lerberghe at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley. They lived on a farm near Cottonwood until 1962 when they moved to a farm near Wood Lake. 

Together, Joan and Ray raised their eight children, hosted two foreign exchange students, and provided care for several foster children through the years. She loved her big family and they all loved spending time in her home. She hosted several big family gatherings every year with almost everyone trying to fit into the kitchen while she was preparing the meal.

Joan worked as a home health aide for 30 years. She enjoyed that work very much and many of the people she cared for became very special to her. She was instrumental in establishing the First Responder squad in Wood Lake and served on the squad for several years. Joan educated many people on insurance and investments in her work with Primerica Financial, helping them plan for a secure future. She shared her faith in God as a religious education teacher and also served on the parish council and diocesan council.

Joan enjoyed helping on the farm and tending to her garden. Until just days before her death, Joan could be counted on to lend a hand around the farm and she managed all the financial duties for the farm. Ray and Brad worked on the farm but Joan was the Oz behind the curtain, making things run. Joan always embraced the latest technologies. Her visiting grandchildren wanted to play on her computer because it always had the newest fun games.

Those who knew Joan best will remember her to be fun, funny, opinionated, smart, and resilient. Time spent visiting in her kitchen will be treasured memories for the many people that loved her.

Joan is survived by her children Allen Van Lerberghe of Wood Lake, Linda (and Jack) Loch of Sauk Centre, Brad (and Marlys) Van Lerberghe of Wood Lake, Sandra (and Steven) Naab of Marshall, Diane (and Craig) Milbradt of Marshall, Pam (and John) Keltgen of Carver and Trudy (and John) Cariveau of Cambridge, 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Greg and husband Raymond.

Arrangements are made by Sunset Funeral &

Cremation Association

Echo, Minnesota

507-925-4145