Joan L. Hoornaert, 76, of Harvey, ND passed away Friday, January 19, 2024, SMP Health in Harvey, ND.  Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Faith Lutheran Church in Harvey, ND with Pastor Greg Longtin officiating.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Fessenden, ND in the spring.   Everyone is welcome to stream the service on the Faith Lutheran Church's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@harveyfaithlc .

Joan was born September 14, 1947 at Deaconess Hospital in Billings, MT to Phyllis and Julius Gabel.  They moved to a grandparent's farm outside of New Rockford when she was just a baby.

Joan was one of nine children.  Joan attended school at Cherry Grove, which doubled as a church.  She also attended school at Columbia Academy, which wasn't as fancy as it sounds, they still had outhouses.  Joan attended high school in New Rockford.

Joan met her husband to be, Gary Hoornaert, in New Rockford.  Her family moved back to Montana, but Joan stayed.  Gary and she were joined in marriage November 24, 1967 in New Rockford.  They briefly made Fessenden their home before moving to Manfred.  In 1996, Harvey became their final home.  Joan periodically worked as a waitress, but her true job was managing her household.

Joan had a heart of gold.  Her family kept her busy but when she had free time, Joan would be helping friends with odd jobs.  In the evenings, if she wasn't attempting to beat Gary at Yahtzee, she could be found playing bingo.  After Gary passed away in 2016, Joan stayed busy with her grandkids.  If she wasn't with them, she was talking about them.  Let's not forget about the picture book she always had on her.

Joan is survived by her five children, Paul Hoornaert of Chatfield, MN, Delon (Brian) Bunnell of Rochester, MN, Scott (Erica) Hoornaert of Harvey, ND, Kevin (Kelly) Hoornaert of Spring Valley, MN and Jared Hoornaert of Harvey, ND; 15 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Betty Jacobson of Battle Ground, WA, Patricia Fox of Laurel, MT and Linda Dickey of Laurel, MT; brother, Larry Gabel of Billings, MT; uncle, Dail Beeghly of Churchill, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Gary Hoornaert; parents, Phyllis and Julius Gabel; a granddaughter; brothers, Richard, David and Mike Gabel; and sister, Kathy Kriedeman.