Joan Van Setten

Joan Marie (Birdeau) Van Setten of Choteau, Montana 74 years old, passed 9/30/2014 unexpectedly of natural causes with her family by her side.



Private graveside service will be held, and followed by memorial services at 11 AM Monday, 6 October, 2014 at the United Methodist Church in Choteau. Visitation with family present, will be from 2-4 PM Sunday October 5, 2014 at the Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home in Choteau.



Joan was born September 15, 1940 in Worcester, Wisconsin to Walter Rudolf Birdeau and Cloe Edna Hill. At the age of 4 years old, the family moved to Fairfield, Montana. She was a 1958 graduate from Fairfield High School. She worked at the local drug store from the time she was a student until she married William Van Setten of Choteau on October 7, 1962. Joan and Bill resided in Fairfield until 1972, then moved to Warden, Washington until 1974. They returned to the Choteau-Farmington area and resided to present. Joan was very involved with her family and community. She was very active with the Methodist church where she served as assistant administrator, prayer chain advisor, bible study group organizer, choir member, Sunday school teacher, and lay minister which she took great pride in. Joan also maintained a successful custodial and carpet cleaning business operating within the North Central Montana area. At home her hobbies consisted of clothes making for family and friends, quilting, crocheting, and needle point. Joan's needle point was so intricate and detailed that most thought her work was a printing. With all of these accomplishments and activities, Joan managed to raise 5 children and 5 foster children with her husband Bill. Joan touched many hearts and minds outside and within the community and leaves us with very fulfilled life that she was proud of. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Walter (Jack) Birdeau and Berkley, (Buck) Birdeau, sister Elvina (Bideau) Janke, and son Dennis Van Setten. Joan is survived by her husband Bill of Choteau, brother, Terry Birdeau of Missoula, MT, Daughter Pamela Hansen of Moab area, Utah, son's John Van Setten and Ben Van Setten of the Choteau area, and son William (Willie) Van Setten of Lincoln, Nebraska, 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, and Foster Daughter Mary Richards of the Choteau area.



It was Joan's request that in lieu of flowers; memorials be made to the American Diabetes Foundation, Local United Methodist Church, and Choteau Senior Citizen's Center.