JOAN VanSCOIK

Joan Marie VanScoik, of Mora, MN, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Country Side Living in Grasston.  She was 86 years old. 

Joan was born in Detroit, Michigan to Edgar and Edna (Dunning) Soderlund.  At 7 years of age, she moved to Superior, Wisconsin when her parents opened “Eddies Café”.  She attended local Catholic grade and high school.  After graduation, she went on to become a Registered Nurse after attending The College of St. Catherine for 4 years.  When finished with college, she joined the Navy Nurse Corps so she could see the world.  As a Lieutenant during the Vietnam War, she was stationed in Portsmouth, VA, Kenitra, Morocco, Great Lakes Hospital, and handled recruiting duty in Minneapolis which covered 5 ½ states.  This started her love of travel.

In January of 1972, she was joined in marriage to Roy VanScoik.  Two children were born to this union, Bradley and Jacquelyn.  In September 1985 they were divorced. 

Joan was employed by Kanabec Hospital for 27 years before retirement.  She enjoyed extensive travel, many outdoor activities, reading, and gathering with friends and family.  She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Mora American Legion. She has a lifelong love of horses and dogs, finding comfort and joy in their companionship.

Joan’s life was one of resilience and individuality, and she will be remembered in the ways that meant most to those who knew her.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents and brother James Soderlund.

Joan is survived by her son Bradley (Samantha) VanScoik; daughter Jaquelyn (Jason) Chard; grandchildren Angel, Evelyn, and Charlotte VanScoik, Megan (Adam) Stoddard, Nicole Chard, and Nicholas (Taylor) Chard; great grandchildren, Hudson and Charlotte Chard; sister-in-law Vicki Soderlund; several nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mora.

Memorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church. 

Inurnment will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Mora American Legion.  

A Luncheon will follow at the St. Mary's Parish Center.

Memorials are preferred to Country Side Living in Grasston (7272 Hawk Ridge Road - Grasston, MN 55030). 

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