Gordon Joseph VanOverbeke

Gordon "Gordie" VanOverbeke, age 79, of Marshall, Minnesota, died peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Prairie Home Hospice – Lockwood House in Marshall. Memorial Services are 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Marshall. Following a luncheon for attendees, interment will take place in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Johnsonville Township, rural Lucan.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening will conclude with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to his service, from 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. on Thursday, at the church. 

Gordon Joseph VanOverbeke was born on October 25, 1944, in Marshall, Minnesota, to parents Arthur and Julia (Matthys) VanOverbeke. He was baptized, received his first communion, and was later confirmed at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley, Minnesota. He attended school there as well before graduating with the Marshall High School class of 1962. Gordon then enlisted in the United States Army to serve in the early years of the Vietnam War.

Upon returning home in 1965, Gordon soon met Solveig Olson and the couple was united in marriage on June 24, 1967, at Jevnaker Lutheran Church in Montevideo, Minnesota. Gordie and Solveig made their home outside of Marshall for five years before moving to their farm near Lucan where they spent the next 50 years on that acreage. A year ago they moved back to Marshall and enjoyed the time there and many friends they made at Hill Street Place.

Gordie followed his father, uncle and brother into trucking and began hauling cattle for his uncle at an early age.  He worked for Floyd Wild, Anderson Trucking out of Walnut Grove and finally A&A Express out of Brandon South Dakota his last few years on the road.   He took a short break and worked for CropMate Fertilizer out of Revere Minnesota for several years and during the 1970s he owned and operated his own truck. Due to medical issues he retired in 2014.

Gordie enjoyed riding in horse shows, trail riding and caring for horses, reading western books, antiquing, and adding to his collection of Oliver tractor models. He spent a lot of time with his family on camping trips, often to a favorite location on Lake Superior.

Gordon VanOverbeke died peacefully while surrounded by his family on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Marshall, Minnesota. He had reached the age of 79 years, 6 months, and 20 days. Blessed be his memory.

Gordie is survived by his wife, Solveig VanOverbeke of Marshall; 2 children, Tori VanOverbeke of Marshall, Mike VanOverbeke of Sioux Falls, SD; grandson, Jordan VanOverbeke of Marshall; 3 siblings, MaryAnn (and Rich) Memmer of Ventura, CA, Eugene (and Joann) VanOverbeke of Eagan, Kathleen (and Paul) Moen of Andover; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Julia VanOverbeke; siblings, Donald (and Tudy) VanOverbeke, Delores (and LeRoy) Sumption, JoAnn (and Shorty) Gerlach, and Norman VanOverbeke.