Sussman-Laabs

Joan VanMarter Laabs.jpg

Joan Therese “Jo” VanMarterAge: 89 years19292018

Name
Joan Therese “Jo” VanMarter
Surname
VanMarter
Given names
Joan Therese
Nickname
Jo
Birth February 7, 1929 44 40
Death of a sisterDorothy Hermione VanMarter
April 23, 1934 (Age 5 years)
Cause: Heart Attack
Death of a paternal grandmotherMary Jane Eagen
October 22, 1934 (Age 5 years)
Death of a fatherOrval Leo VanMarter
December 31, 1944 (Age 15 years)
Death of a motherAnna Josephine LaForge
January 7, 1973 (Age 43 years)
Death of a brotherVincent Emil VanMarter
August 1994 (Age 65 years)
Death of a sisterGloria Jean VanMarter
September 18, 2005 (Age 76 years)
Death of a sisterEileen Helen VanMarter
December 18, 2005 (Age 76 years)
Death of a sisterRita Marie VanMarter
June 11, 2016 (Age 87 years)
Death June 9, 2018 (Age 89 years)
Burial
Family with parents - View this family
father
mother
herself
-18 years
elder sister
-13 months
elder brother
7 years
elder brother
17 months
elder brother
4 years
elder sister
-8 years
elder sister
5 years
elder sister
sister
Private
Family with Edwin George Laabs II - View this family
husband
herself
daughter
Private
daughter
Private
daughter
Private
daughter
Private
son
Private

Note

Her Catholic Faith meant everything to her.

"Joan" is pronounced "Jo-Ann."

Note

Joan Theresa Laabs February 7, 1929 - June 9, 2018 Joan was a woman of faith and family. A life-long devout Roman Catholic who never waivered on the truths of the Church. She inspired many to conversion or return to the Church by prayer, word, and deed. She was a devoted and loving wife to her Eddie for over 67 years. Together they raised their five children in a faith-filled home of loving family values. Their family of five children has grown to include five spouses-in-law, 23 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many spiritual children. Joan was a devoted daughter who welcomed and cared for her mother in her home for over 22 years. This was truly a blessing for both grandma and grandkids. Joan was the youngest of nine children of Orval and Anna Van Marter and was born and raised in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit. She was a proud Detroiter with deep family roots in Michigan. She is survived by one sister, Mary Imojean (Jud) Beckwith. She has many nieces, nephews, and God-Children whom she cherished. She was a good hand to hold and a true and faithful friend to so many. There was never a dull moment in her home! In her younger days, Joan’s zeal moved her to be a political and religious activist as she fought the cultural and religious changes that were opposed to life and family values. In her later years, she continued the “good fight” as a “prayer warrior”. She was an example of a true, Christian Soldier to all who met her. Joan had a fun-loving spirit and there was always that “Irish” twinkle in her eyes. She loved to be silly, especially with her grandbabies who all love their grandma. She enjoyed her Wednesday card game with her sister Mary and their nieces and nephews. She enjoyed china painting and was a gifted artist. She was an amazing cook who was not afraid to “use those spices” which often resulted in a “once in a lifetime” dinner. She always cooked for an army as often guests would stop by and join the family dinner. Even in her suffering, she spent time praying for others. She had a great devotion to St. Joseph, her Guardian Angel, and the poor souls in purgatory. While her earthly journey has ended, as people of faith we know her spiritual life has just begun and we, her family, will see her again in the world to come. May she rest in peace. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Beloved wife of Edwin G. Laabs for 67 years.

Devoted mother of: Karen (Joseph) Broski, Judy (Thomas) Schaefer, Amy (Jon) Sussman, Erin (Scott) Seelig, Edwin (Margie) Laabs.

Cherished Grandmother of: Beth (Andrew) Matz, Laura (Frank) Pierce, Joan (Pete) Sanders, Kate (Scott) McDermott, Sara (Alex) Yantis, Andrew (Amanda), Matthew and Tim Schaefer; Anna, Ben, and Kolbe Sussman; Shane, Zack, Molly and Allison Seelig; Patrick, Emily, Haley, Joseph, Julie, Bartholomew, Michael and Charlotte Laabs.

Proud Great Grandmother of: Nicholas and Nolan Matz; Seth, Gwen, Liam and Leitha Sanders; Grace, Sam and Julia McDermott; Luke Yantis; Declan and Koen Schaefer.

Also survived by one sister, Mary Imojene (Judson) Beckwith and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by and youngest daughter of Orval and Anna Van Marter.

Visitation Tuesday, June 12th, 2:00-8:00pm with an evening Rosary at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 West Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan. Instate Wednesday, June 13th, 9:30am with Funeral Mass 10:00am at Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Road, Southfield, Michigan. Interment All Saints Cemetery, Waterford, Michigan. (www.mccabefuneralhome.com)

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Note: From Lawrence Tech yearbook of 1958.
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EdJoanLaabsGrave.jpg
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