JOSEPH VANHOEVER

Joseph “Joe” Mark VanHoever, of Pine City, was taken by PTSD on Thursday, September 11, 2025.  He was 39 years old.

Joe was born on November 16, 1985, in Fridley, Minnesota, to William VanHoever and Tamara (Urness). The oldest of three children, he grew up alongside his sister Samantha VanHoever and brother Evan VanHoever. From an early age, Joe developed a deep love for the water. He was an avid swimmer and cherished summers and weekends spent at Balsam Lake with his family and extended relatives.

Joe was raised in Blaine and Andover, graduating in 2004 as part of Andover High School’s very first graduating class. A natural leader, he served as captain of the football team and helped establish the school’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which continues to meet over 20 years later.

After high school, Joe attended Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji, Minnesota, where he pursued his passion for Biblical Theology. It was there that he met the love of his life, April Thompson.

In 2007, Joe answered the call to serve his country, joining the U.S. Army. He graduated from boot camp that fall with the 300th Military Police Company and was later stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Joe bravely served 15 months in Iraq and, after proposing to April in 2011, completed an additional 12-month tour in Afghanistan. He was honorably discharged as Sergeant Joe VanHoever on January 9, 2013.

Eight months later, on September 21, 2013, Joe and April were united in marriage after 3 years of long-distance dating and 2 years of engagement. They made their home in Pine City, Minnesota, where Joe began a decade-long career as a Corrections Officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sandstone. He was well-respected by his colleagues and built lasting friendships with many of them.

Family was the joy of Joe’s life. In 2016, he and April welcomed their first daughter, Sydney Ann, followed by Abigail “Abby” Joy in 2017, and Jael Rosabella in 2023. Joe adored his girls and loved sharing his favorite pastimes with them, from swimming and fishing in the summer to ice fishing in the winter. He often took them along on overnight trips, creating treasured family memories.

For 10 years, Joe and April were devoted members of Quamba Baptist Church, where they found a close-knit community of faith. Together they shared countless meals, Bible studies, and fellowship as they raised their children surrounded by love and support.

Joe is preceded in death by his grandfathers, William VanHoever and Ronald Urness, and his aunt, Sheila Urness.

He is survived by his beloved wife, April; his daughters, Sydney, Abigail, and Jael; his father, Bill VanHoever; his mother, Tamara (Chris) Neston; his siblings, Samantha (Tyler Shore) VanHoever and Evan (Natalie) VanHoever; his parents-in-law, Pastor Bruce Thompson and Lori Thompson; his sister-in-law, Jamie (Joel) Hogberg; nephews, Caleb, Micah, Nathan, Josiah, and his newborn nephew Cooper Joseph Shore, joyfully welcomed into the world on September 17, 2025; grandmothers, Paulette Thibault, Mary Ann VanHoever, and Patricia Gehrke; and many other cherished relatives and friends.

Joe will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his dedication to family, his service to his country, and his love of the outdoors. His life was a testament to strength, kindness, and devotion, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Quamba Baptist Church in Quamba, with Rev. Nick Mattei and Rev. Ivan Fiske officiating.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at the church.

Military Honors will be provided by the Mora American Legion Post 201.

Inurnment will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, December 15, 2025 at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Little Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are preferred. A donation link is available above to support the family during this difficult time.

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