JoAnn VanDam, 59, of Chester passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 13, 2014.
Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Monday, March 17, 2014 at Chester Area School, Chester, SD. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Chester.
Visitation with the family present will be Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM with a Prayer service at 4:00 PM at First Lutheran Church in Colton, SD.
JoAnn was born May 15, 1954 in Sioux Falls to parents Marvin and Esther (Rehfeldt) Aldrich. She grew up on a farm near Franklin, SD and graduated from Chester High School in 1972. From there she attended beauty school.
Following beauty school, JoAnn married David VanDam on November 10, 1973 in Humboldt, SD. They made their home in Chester where they raised their three children.
JoAnn began working at Chester Area School in 2000. She thought of them as her second family. She made pies for the teachers on their birthdays and some sort of treats for the athletes before a game.
JoAnn was an active member of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church, Chester Booster Club and an avid blood donor, recently receiving her eight gallon pin.
JoAnn enjoyed sharing her love with everyone around her, whether it was baking, having a cup of coffee, or just conversing while cutting your hair.
JoAnn was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, aunt and friend. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of forty years, David VanDam, Chester; three children, William “B.J.” VanDam, Madison, Heidi VanDam, Sioux Falls and Holli VanDam, Chester; father, Marvin Aldrich, Madison; mother-in-law, Muriel VanDam, Dell Rapids; two sisters, Renae (Doug) Feucht, Baltic and Marlys (Virgil) Schaefer, Colton; two brothers, Rick (Kris) Aldrich, Madison and Randy (Judy) Aldrich, Sioux Falls; as well as several nieces; nephews; relatives and friends.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her mother, Esther Aldrich; father-in-law, William (Bill) VanDam; brother-in-law, Dale Huntimer and several aunts and uncles.