Vernon “Joe” Loendorf, 87 of Valley City, ND passed away peacefully at his home in Mesa, Arizona on April 5, 2018. In his last days he was surrounded in love and support by his wife of 63 years and his four adoring daughters.

Joe’s life began on August 18, 1930 as his parents Matt and Kate Loendorf welcomed him into the world. He grew up on a farm southwest of Valley City along with his 10 siblings. He graduated from St. Catherine’s High School and while there enjoyed playing football and basketball. After graduation he joined the US Air Force and bravely served in the Korean War.

After his service, he returned to the place he loved, working on the farm in Valley City with his parents. After his return from the war in 1953, he met Mavis Loibl and the couple married in 1954. They settled together on the farm, creating their family and raising four daughters: Diana (Jeff) VanRay, Pam Spitzer, Patty (Kim) Wiest, and Janelle (Rob) Schaper. He worked on the farm for 30 years until he retired in 1984 and in 1999 he and Mavis moved into Valley City.

The couple enjoyed neighborhood card playing and Joe especially loved pinochle, laughing at Archie Bunker, and watching his family grow into multiple generations. Joe and Mavis also enjoyed snowmobiling and family reunions at the farm. Later in life, they went snowmobiling in Yellowstone and traveled around the US and world together. Around 2000, Mavis and Joe began wintering in Mesa, Arizona where they created friendships and a warm place for new memories where family would come to visit and escape the harsh North Dakota winters.

He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, though much to his disdain only some of the smart later generations adopted his passion for this winning team. He was a 20 year season ticket holder of the NDSU Bison football team and recruited family members into fandom with many being able to enjoy watching the Bison over the years.

Joe’s quiet and steady presence is deeply missed by many, but especially his wife Mavis, four daughters, nine grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, three siblings (Warren Loendorf, Kaye Kvislen and Inez Driscoll), and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine’s Church, Valley City, on April 18, 2018 at 10:00 AM.

Visitation will be held at St. Catherine’s Church from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on April 17, 2018.  A prayer service will begin at 7:00. Burial will be in the Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

Memorials can be sent to:

Hospice of the Red River Valley

1240 W Main St

Valley City, ND 58072
St. Catherine School Memorial Scholarship Fund

REACH

540 3rd Ave NE

Valley City, ND 58072

Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home is assisting Joe’s family with arrangements.  An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com