Joseph L. DeGrand, 93, Sugarbush, died early Tuesday morning August 20, 2019 at his home. He was born March 3, 1926 in Luxemburg to the late Louis J. and Mary L. (Van Loo) DeGrand. On October 25, 1950, Joe married Ione M. Everard at St. Francis De Paul Church in Duval. She preceded him in death on July 31, 1995. He was a lifelong member of St. Thomas The Apostle Parish in Sugarbush. Joe’s pride and joy was the family farm. His continuous involvement on the farm included driving skid steer, chopping, fixing fence, pushing snow and several other tasks. He helped his brother Harold drive truck for the canning company for many years and also worked as a deputy sheriff at the Brown County Arena. Joe went to high school for four days then drove school bus for the L-C School District for 45 years and “got a good education”. A few of his enjoyments included driving his great-grandchildren around in his Kubota and spending time with his family on Sunday morning making homemade popcorn. Joe will be most remembered for his witty personality and storytelling.
Survivors included three sons, Wayne “Porky” (Bernadette) DeGrand, Warren (Darlene) DeGrand, Tim DeGrand, all of Luxemburg; two daughters, Sue (Steve) Martin, Luxemburg; Lori (Paul) Bertrand, New Franken; 14 grandchildren, Nick (Jenni) DeGrand, Sara (Andy) Murphy, Jen DeGrand, Chrystl (Brian) Wallace, Lee (Sara) DeGrand, Michelle (Brandon) Cole, Stacy (Brian) Rueckl, Katie (Evan) LeGrave, Ryan Martin, Alycia Bertrand (fiancée Alex Zellner), Danielle Bertrand (special friend Kyle McFall), Brooke Bertrand, Brian (Kelly) Veit, Tony (Renee) Veit; 20 great-grandchildren; five sisters in law and one brother in law, Lucille Enz, Mae DuBois, Marjorie Everard, Rita Everard, Lloyd (Patsy) Everard; a very special niece, Lisa (Jeff) Blemke and Family; family friend Joan DeGrand; many other special relatives and friends.
Joe was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Patricia; his siblings, Laura (Mike) Mertens, Irene (Charles) Heurkens, Florence (Norman) DeGrave, Anna (Ernest) Rogers, Harold (Irma) DeGrand, Magdalene (Paul) Arendt, Donald DeGrand; five brothers in law, Raymond Marchant, Lloyd Enz, Raymond DuBois, Lester Everard, Roy Everard.
Friends may call 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 25, 2019, at St. Thomas The Apostle Church (Sugarbush), 5930 Humboldt Road, Luxemburg, Wi. 54217. Closing parish prayer service 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue between 9:00 and 10:15 am on Monday, August 26, 2019, at the church. Funeral 10:30 am Monday at the church, with Rev. Carlo Villaluz officiating and Cheryl Maricque assisting. Burial in St. Hubert Cemetery, Sugarbush.
A very special thank you is extended to Unity Hospice, Dr. Ripp and Prevea staff, Prevea East Mason Pain and Spine staff, caregiver Betsy and to all our family who helped care for Joe at home these past several months.
As Joe would say: “Humor is God’s Greatest Gift!”
