| Notes |
- Joanne L. Elbers, 80, of Sioux Falls, SD died Friday, September 23, 2016. Her funeral service will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, September 27 at First Reformed Church, Sioux Falls, with burial at Hills of Rest Memorial Park. Visitation starts at 5:00 PM Monday, September 26 at George Boom Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Sioux Falls, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Joanne Lavonne Van Gelder, daughter of John and Johanna (Van Houten) Van Gelder, was born April 1, 1936 on the farm in rural Rock Rapids, IA. Joanne grew up loving the farm and attending the local country school. Joanne enjoyed doing chores with her five siblings and loving all the animals that she could get her hands on.
Joanne lived on the family farm until marrying Gerald Elbers on April 8, 1954 in Rock Rapids. Gerald and Joanne started their life together in Steen, MN. They later moved to Hills, MN where they maintained their home until 1966, when they moved to Sioux Falls.
During her life, Joanne enjoyed crocheting (especially doilies), counted cross stich, and quilting. Doing the daily crossword and word jumble was the highlight of her day. She enjoyed making Sunday dinners while watching Vikings football games, a tradition that was carried on after the passing of Gerald on January 21, 1999.
Joanne is not only survived by her family, but by wonderful friends with whom she made many special memories over the years. The camping stories alone will last a lifetime.
Though illness struck her body February 3rd, her spirit and Dutch blood remained strong until the very end. She will be missed, but never forgotten.
Grateful for having shared her life are three children, Leann Drullinger and her husband, Darrell, North Platte, NE, Leland Elbers and his wife, Judy, Sioux Falls, SD, Lisa Jennings and her husband, Paul, Sioux Falls, SD; nine grandchildren, Shea Drullinger, North Platte, NE, Brittany McDaniel and her husband, Sam, North Platte, NE, Kalen Drullinger and his friend, Mariah Waltemath, Lincoln, NE, Debbie Johnson and her husband, Troy, Sioux Falls, SD, Mitzi Jo Elbers, Luverne, MN, Heather Myers and her husband, Zach, Sioux Falls, SD, Megan Elbers and her fiancé, Chase Wilson, Sioux Falls, SD, Joshua Jennings and his wife, Katie, Sioux Falls, SD, Kara Jennings, Sioux Falls, SD; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Jennie Hanson, Rock Rapids, IA; a brother, Thomas Van Gelder, Cedar Rapids, IA; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, Gerald, Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Jake Koelman, Melvin Van Gelder; and a sister, Gertrude Van Dyke.
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1936 - 2016 (80 years)
