Joanne Margaret (Kirk) Van de Wiele, along with her twin sister Jeanne, was born to Elizabeth and Clement Van de Wiele, on September 19, 1933. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her family on October 13, 2024. Her parents owned the St. Paul Market in St. Paul, Oregon, and along with their younger brother, Denny, operated the store for several decades. They worked at the Market six days a week and on Sundays they went to mass. Even though their days were very busy and full, Joanne always recounted fond memories of that time. The bond they had as a family and the generosity of the Van de Wiele family to the community was inspiring, especially during the depression and World War II.

When she married Dick Kirk in 1954, Joanne shared those family traditions of prayer, pride in family and community service with their children. Dick and Joanne worked together on the farm and when children started coming along, they too worked on the farm, being taught firsthand the importance of strong family values, a strong work ethic and to begin and end each day with prayer.

Joanne made being a “Stay-at-Home Mom” cool. She took great pride in volunteering for several community organizations including the St. Paul Catholic Church, the St. Paul Rodeo Association and the Parents Group at the St. Paul Parochial School. She loved her garden and kept a wonderful array of roses. She carried herself so well and stayed classy doing it. In those days, she always went on Saturdays to “get her hair done” and had one of the kids polish their Dad's shoes so they could go out on a Saturday night. Work hard - play hard. That’s what they did.

Joanne and Dick also loved to travel. They took their kids on many memorable trips, including Arizona, Hawaii and Canada. They never missed a hop convention either. Dick and Joanne both took great pride in operating one of the oldest hop farms in the State.

Joanne loved music, especially the piano. She had a beautiful voice and blessed everyone with her voice at Mass on Sundays. Near the end of her days, her family kept her comfortable by always having music playing and even had a musician from hospice come and play guitar and sing for her.

Joanne left her family with so many beautiful and unforgettable life lessons, the power of prayer and to always be kind. She taught them patience. She taught them strength.

No doubt, the first person Joanne will want to hug when she arrives in heaven is her youngest daughter Martha, Mary’s twin sister, who passed away at just 6 months.

Surviving Joanne are:
Daughter Shannon & husband Randy and their daughters Victoria and Allison.

Daughter Sherry & husband Neville and their children Joshua (girlfriend Stacy), Jennifer (husband Adam and children Jameson, Hunter and Remi), Shelly (husband James and children Charlie and Walker), Courtney and Katie (engaged to Spenser).

Daughter Carrie.

Son Richard & wife Julie and their children Lester (wife Julie and children Emma and Daniel) and Emily (husband Jake and children Loretta, Henry and Rosie).

Daughter Mary, (husband Tom and children Jonathan and Stefanie (husband Nick and children Mylah and Rylee).

Joanne’s faith and life will be celebrated on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Paul, Oregon. We will begin with a Rosary at 10 am, Funeral at 10:30, followed by burial in the St. Paul Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the St. Paul Community Hall.

Donations in Joanne’s name can be made to the St. Paul Parochial School Endowment Fund and mailed to: PO Box 188, St. Paul, OR 97137.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Simon Cornwell Colonial Chapel in Woodburn