Joseph Rene Van Laere moved on from this life into Heaven to meet up with God on Friday December 13, 2024.

   Joe was born on February 26, 1942, to Marshall and Felice Van Laere in South Bend, IN. Throughout his schooling years he played basketball, baseball, and was a medalist in swimming at Saint Joseph’s. Among his favorite childhood memories were times with aunts, uncles, and cousins during their family lake trips where his mom would bring city chicken for the picnic. This is also where dad grew his fondness for various games and pranks with his brother and sister that he would later pass on to his family.

   Joe joined the Air Force after high school and was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Here he met the love of his life Joan Kapaun. They married November 9, 1963, and had three children Loree, David, and Todd. He was a great dad who was very involved in teaching us to swim, play softball, baseball, basketball, golf, bowl, fish and hunt. Joe adored his grandchildren Andrea, Scott, Karina, Robert and Jordan. It didn’t matter what it was, sporting events, fishing, hunting or just a talk, he would always find the time for them. He even gave his nieces their first driving and shooting lessons.

   Joe was infamous for planning family vacations. His short cuts would lead to places unknown and would create some of the funniest and scariest memories for his entire family. This is how Joe’s family got their nickname the Griswold’s and Joe was Sparkie. He enjoyed handy work, if there was something to be fixed, he would get it done or if not, he would come up with some way to make it better.

   Joe was a member of Casselton’s American Legion, bowling league, golf club, men’s softball, and coached kids’ baseball. He worked at Fairway Foods, Microsoft, Fargo Airport and Sanford Health. He and his wife were part of the Meadow Lake campground family for over 20 years. He gained many lifelong friendships through his lifetime. He loved and laughed with his wife’s family at all the lake retreats, water skiing, fishing, hunting, 4th of July and Christmas gatherings.

   Joe is survived by his daughter Loree (Rob) Leitheiser, Scott and Karina (Wayne LeBlanc), son David (Sharon) Van Laere, Robert and Jordan, son Todd (Marsha) Van Laere, grand dogs Jake and Belle. His sister Delores Harmacinski, brother Tom ( Ann) Van Laere. His brother and sister-in-law’s Renee Kapaun, Bob (Martha) Kapaun, Bill (Robyn) Kapaun, Jayne (Jim) Meyer and many nieces and nephews.

   Joe was preceded in death by his parents Marshall and Felice Van Laere, his wife Joan Van Laere, granddaughter Andrea Leitheiser and brother-in-law Jerry Harmacinski.

Visitation:  Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM at West Funeral Home, Casselton, ND.

Prayer Service: Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 7:30 PM at West Funeral Home, Casselton, ND.

Funeral Service: Friday, December 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Casselton.

Interment with Military Rites: Friday, December 20, 2024 following the service at the Casselton Cemetery.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com