Paul Leo Van Overbeke was born on December 7, 1921, to Arthur and Wilhelmina “Wally†(Fier) Van Overbeke on the family farm near Taunton, Minnesota. He was baptized at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota, Minnesota, and made his First Communion and Confirmation at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Taunton, Minnesota. Paul started school in Taunton and later moved to Marshall when he was eleven. He continued his education at St. Joseph’s Academy through sixth grade. Paul stayed home to help on the family farm near Marshall. He was united in marriage to Darlene Devereaux on January 5, 1944, at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley, Minnesota. Together, they started farming near Marshall and later purchased their farm in 1948. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Paul was very proud of winning the Lyon County Corn Husking contest in 1941. Later he went on to pick in both the state and national contests. He was an avid horse fan and enjoyed harness racing at the Lyon County Fair. Paul served as an altar boy at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. He was a longtime member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Third Degree. He took great pride in his 20 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.
Paul died on Friday, May 13, 2016, peacefully at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. He is survived by his wife, Darlene, of Marshall, their children Roger (and Gloria) of Tracy, MN, Rich (and Ruth) of El Dorado Hills, CA, Pauline (and Doug) Peterson of Los Osos, CA, Dean (and Judy) of Sioux Falls, SD, Marge (and Bob) Paradis of Omaha, NE, Bill of Marshall, MN, Grace (and Larry) Hochstatter of Sioux Falls, SD, Louie (and Jackie) of Marshall, MN, 20 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, brother Walter and sister-in-law Mary Van Overbeke, sister Margaret and brother-in-law Lawrence Engels and two grandsons.
