Joe Vreeman - Cherry Grove

SPRING VALLEY — Funeral services for Joe Vreeman will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010, at the Cherry Grove United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mark Rader and Rev. Beth Perez officiating. Burial will take place at the Cherry Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Joseph "Joe" Vreeman was born July 2, 1914, in Carimona Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota, to Hannah DePoppe and John Henry "Hank" Vreeman. He passed from this earth on April 27, 2010, at the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, with his family by his side. In those 95 years, 9 months and 25 days, he was an inspiration to his family, friends and anyone he met.

Joe attended school through the 8th grade at the Carimona School, and on April 13, 1944, he was united in marriage to Roene Grabau at the parsonage in Cherry Grove. He entered the United States Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After his discharge from the Army he returned to farm in the Cherry Grove area. Joe also worked for the Kahler Corp. for 15 years, and later as a security guard for Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.

His wife, Roene, passed away on April 29, 1982. On November 5, 1983, he was united in marriage to Murna VanGrevenhof; they were later divorced. Murna has preceded him in death.

He had an optimistic spirit that brought him through tough situations that would have overwhelmed others. He never knew a stranger and felt comfortable meeting anyone from any walk of life. His faith in God was a source of strength to him as he and his wife faced very difficult challenges.

Joe is survived by his children, Joseph "Joe Dean" (Lynette) Vreeman of Apple Valley, Calif., Curtis (Sharon) Vreeman of St. Charles, Janice Jeche of Plainview, Revelee (Steve) Kaplan of Rochester and Melodee (Terry) Allard of Grand Meadow; 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Johanna Vreeman of Cherry Grove; and 1 brother, Charles "Charley" Hamersma of Blooming Prairie. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; 1 grandson, Brad Jeche; 3 brothers, Harold Vande Zande, Bill Hamersma and Ronald Arnold; and sister, Edith Musel.

Condolences may be left online at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.