Joan Vander Hart

Joan Birch Vander Hart, age 88, of Sioux Center, Iowa, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, October 18, 2025.  

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 23, 2025 at United Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Pastor Jon Bushnell, officiating.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00AM, Thursday at the church, with prayer service starting at 10:00 AM.  Burial will follow the prayer service at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

Memorials may be directed to: 
Crossroad Prison Ministries
 PO Box 900
 Grand Rapids, MI 49509-0900 
or
Voice of the Martyrs
1815 SE Bison Rd.
Bartlesville, OK

Mrs. Vander Hart was born July 3, 1937 in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Thomas R. Birch and Constance C. Birch.  She spent her first 22 years in the Philadelphia area, graduating from the 3 year Nursing program at Abington Memorial Hospital in 1957.  She attended Calvin College 1958-1960.  In 1959, she married Gary J. Vander Hart and their life together took them to Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and to Sioux Center in 1966.

A charter member of God's people at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, she participated in many church activities, and served as a deacon in the 90s and on the Worship Committee.  While employed part-time at the Sioux Center Community Hospital she was an active member of Friends of the Symphony (NISO) and Break for Lunch (Stonecroft Ministries).  In retirement she became a SHIIP volunteer counselor, a mentor friend in the Friendship program, as well as a MOPS Mentor Mom.  Sharing the love of God through Christ with prisoners in the Crossroads Prison Ministries, she enjoyed correcting Bible lessons and writing letters of encouragement.

Survivors include her husband Gary, 3 daughters: Abigail of Dresher, PA, Amy of Grand Rapids, MI, and Elizabeth of Holland, MI; their husbands and 5 amazing grand children; and one very special brother-in-law, David.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and a beloved sister-in-law.