Joseph Vercruysse

Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph “Joe” Vercruysse, 87, of Balaton, will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Life Remembrance Center of Balaton. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Friday at the church. Interment will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton, MN. Joseph Victor Vercruysse was born on October 19, 1930, in rural Marshall to Gentiel and Marguerite (Doise) Vercruysse. He was baptized, made first communion and confirmed in Marshall. Joe grew up on the farm and attended country school near Marshall. On October 16, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marie Lamote at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. Joe began farming with his dad near Milroy and Marshall before buying his own farm near Balaton in 1957. Joe farmed his whole life. He enjoyed playing rollie bollie, playing his accordian, playing cards and listening to polka music, especially the Larry Olsen Band. Joe loved farming. He enjoyed tinkering on just about anything that needed fixing in his machine shed. Joe and Marie moved into Balaton in 2015 to enjoy retirement. He enjoyed company, especially with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe died peacefully and surrounded by family on Saturday, April 7, 2018, under the care of Avera Home Hospice at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marie, children Robert (and Darnell,) Kathy (and Jon) Heard, Barb (and Kim) Thooft, Fran (and Paul) Deutz, Rhonda (and Dave) Kirsh, Joleen (and Kent) Gifford, Dave (and Jean) Tammy (and Seth) Williams, 18 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, and siblings Irene (and Pete) Labat and Jeanette (and Jerry) Halbur, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers George and Paul, sister Mary and great-grandson Cordell Fritz Sanderson. Thursday, April 12, 2018 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM Thursday, April 12, 2018 4:00 PM Thursday, April 12, 2018 7:00 PM Friday, April 13, 2018 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Friday, April 13, 2018 11:00 AM Friday, April 13, 2018