Joyce Van Heuveln

Joyce Arlene Van Heuveln, age 87, of Kerkhoven, died Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at her home.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 30, at the Evangelical Free Church in Kerkhoven. Visitation will be from 5:00–8:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Evangelical Free Cemetery in rural Kerkhoven.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes, www.hafh.org.

Joyce was born December 18, 1938, in Mariposa Township, Jasper County, Iowa, the daughter of William and Vera (Uttermark) Hanen. She later moved with her family to the Clara City/Kerkhoven area, where she was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. Joyce attended elementary school in Clara City and attended Kerkhoven High School.

On July 7, 1956, Joyce was united in marriage to Kenneth Van Heuveln, Sr. at the Benson Baptist Church Parsonage. The couple lived briefly at a cottage on Eagle Lake before making their home on their farm near Kerkhoven in 1957.

Joyce worked alongside Kenneth and their children at Van Heuveln Farm Drainage, contributing faithfully to both the family and the business. Joyce enjoyed running, mowing her yard, playing the piano, crafting, and repurposing items. She cherished spending time with her grandchildren and lovingly helped care for them whenever she could.

Joyce is survived by her children: Kenneth Jr. “Dude” (Bev) Van Heuveln of Murdock, Keith (Marlyce) Van Heuveln of Kerkhoven, Kevin (Kim) Van Heuveln of Pennock, and Kay (Bob Pomerleau) Van Heuveln of Kerkhoven; 20 grandchildren; and 47 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy (Marly) Marquardt of Belgrade and Mary Hatlestad of Kerkhoven, along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth Van Heuveln, Sr., in 2022; two brothers; and four sisters.

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