Jim Vanderberg, age 91, of Luverne, Minn., died Sunday, June 21, 2026, while surrounded by his family at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 26, with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m., at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at St. John Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne.
To view Jim’s LifeTribute or sign an online registry, please visit www. hartquistfuneral.com.
James “Jim” Duane Vanderberg was born on January 28, 1935, at his family’s home in Jasper, Minn. He was the second of four children born to Charles and Etta (Stykel) Vanderberg. His family moved to a farm in Rosedell Township in 1942. Jim went to country school at districts 45 and 36 SW through the eighth grade. He was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in Jasper as a youth. He attended Jasper High School where he graduated in 1953. After graduation, Jim joined the Marine Corps with boot camp at MCRD in San Diego and Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was then transferred to MCSD in San Francisco, Calif., until his discharge in 1957. Jim met the love of his life, Marte Canton, while stationed in San Francisco. The couple was married in Reno, Nev., on June 30, 1956. Upon discharge, Jim and Marte returned to the family farm in Rosedell Township where they farmed until moving to Luverne in 1962. Three children, Joe, Al and Pat, were born while the couple lived on the farm. In October of 1962, Jim started working with City of Luverne, first in the water department and then as a lineman for the electrical department. Jim began employment in Maintenance at IBP in 1973. He was promoted to shift electrical foreman in 1982. Jim began contract electrical inspection in 1991 and in 1994 was hired by the Board of Electricity as an Area Electrical Representative, a job he held until his retirement on August 28, 2012.
Jim joined the Lutheran Church of Missouri Synod by adult confirmation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper in 1961. He then transferred to St. John Lutheran Church in 1962 where he served as an usher, envelope recorder and a Trustee for several years. He was a member of the Luverne Fire Department from 1969-1993. Jim enjoyed traveling and camping with friends and family. Several trips were taken to Ohio to visit Marte’s relatives over the years as well as many trips to Texas and the Black Hills. One of Jim’s favorite destinations was the six winter vacations to Maui with Marte and friends. Jim and Marte happily spent many hours and put on many miles traveling to follow their kids’ sporting activities and later enjoyed following the grandkids’ sports as time allowed. Jim’s favorite sport was watching his grandkids play hockey and figure skating.
On Sunday, June 21, 2026, while surrounded by his family at the Good Samaritan Society in Luverne, Jim died under hospice care at the age of 91 years, four months and 21 days.
Jim is survived by his children, Joe Vanderberg of Arlington, Texas, and Al (Carla) Vanderberg of Spencer, Iowa; son-in-law, Steve Smedsrud of Luverne; seven grandchildren, Tony Smedsrud (Lindsey Kozel), Brady (Megan) Vanderberg, Casey (Alexa) Vanderberg, Zachery (Leah) Vanderberg, Kynzie (Joe) Zeutenhorst, Chaz Smedsrud, and Caroline Vanderberg; and great-grandchildren, Wyatt Vanderberg, Hayes Vanderberg, Henry Zeutenhorst, Margaret Vanderberg and Jaxon Vanderberg.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marte; daughter, Pat Smedsrud; siblings, Charles Vanderberg, Jr., Glenn Vanderberg, and Ruth Pankratz; and parents, Charles and Etta Vanderberg.
