JoAnn Van Engelenhoven, 90, Luverne, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
A funeral service was Friday, Jan. 15, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
JoAnn White was born on April 9, 1930, to John and Audra (Perrin) White in Guthrie, Oklahoma. She was raised in various towns in Oklahoma until 1941 when the family moved to Long Beach, California, where she later graduated from Polytechnic High School. She met Gerrit Van Engelenhoven during his service in the United States Navy in California.
JoAnn and Gerrit Van Engelenhoven were married on Dec. 20, 1947, at the church parsonage in Long Beach, California. They moved to Luverne for a few years before returning to live in Artesia, California, in 1951. Two years later they moved back to Luverne where they raised their children. JoAnn attended Worthington Community College in Worthington. In 1968 she began working at Tri-State Insurance Company of Minnesota in Luverne and worked there until her retirement in 1992.
JoAnn enjoyed her retirement years, especially traveling with Gerrit. She worked part time at the Sewing Basket in Luverne from October of 2000 until May of 2005. She remained active in volunteer work at Sanford Luverne Hospital. Gerrit died on Oct. 7, 2013.
JoAnn was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne, where she participated in Mary Circle, Stephen Ministry, United Presbyterian Women, Committee on Ministry and the quilters guild. She also served as an elder and financial secretary in the church. She served on the boards for the Luverne Hospital, Luverne Chamber of Commerce, Luverne Dollars for Scholars and Rock County Opportunities.
JoAnn enjoyed reading and spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed the 21 years spent at Lake Sarah with her family.
JoAnn is survived by two children, Gail (Dwight) Bremer of Hardwick and Duane (Deb) Van Engelenhoven of Luverne; 10 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gerrit; two daughters, Carol Wessels and Sheryl Schreck; three grandchildren, Cindy Bremer, Cami Gordon and Andy Wessels; great-granddaughter Lucie Sailor; and 19 siblings.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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