JoAnn Kay Forland

JoAnn Kay Forland, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at her home in rural Spring Valley, Minn.

JoAnn was born on June 30, 1951, in Austin, Minn., to Kenneth and Johannah (Hamersma) Vreeman.  She attended school at Wykoff and then later went to Spring Valley High School, where she graduated in 1969.  JoAnn was united in marriage to Charles “Chuck” Forland on June 19, 1971, in Cherry Grove, Minn.  Two children blessed this union, sons Ryan and Reid.

JoAnn worked at the Preston Telephone Company, Frogner and Smutney Attorneys office, and Thomas Elkins Attorney office.  For 21 years she worked at Ostrander State Bank, where she became head of operations, a loan officer and eventually branch manager of the Spring Valley branch.  She was also one of the bank officers.  JoAnn truly loved being in the finance field and helping people.  JoAnn left the banking field and opened a Curves for Women franchise in Osage, Iowa, which she owned and managed for two years, from 2003 to 2005.  She enjoyed meeting all the women members and helping them with the exercise program and weight loss classes.  She still has very special friends from her time at Curves.  JoAnn sold her Curves business and retired in 2005.

JoAnn and Chuck raised halter quarter horses for five to six years during the time JoAnn was at the bank. Victoria Secret was a very special horse to them.  JoAnn loved horses and grew up riding them.  She enjoyed riding the four wheeler around their acreage and taking their family dog Jade out in the woods.  She loved flowers and enjoyed working her flower beds.  She enjoyed baking and cooking and loved when her granddaughter Hadleigh came over to bake with her and make crafts.  Joann’s grandchildren were her pride and joy.  She loved spending time with her family and friends.  She loved jewelry.  She loved music and knew most country artists’ names and a lot of their songs.  She loved The Voice and shows like the CMT Awards.  She liked Hallmark movies and western movies.  She enjoyed singing karaoke with Hadleigh and Cole and other times with Kari, Chuck and Karen.  She loved sharing pictures of her and Chuck, her grandkids, their dog Jade and her flowers on Facebook. 

JoAnn had a huge heart. She reached out to so many friends to support them and let them know she was thinking of them.  JoAnn prayed every night and she prayed for everyone.  She had a very special friendship with Karen Apenhorst since they met when they worked at the Ostrander bank together 32 years ago.  JoAnn was an amazing worker and boss at the bank and an amazing friend. 

JoAnn is survived by her husband Charles “Chuck” Forland of Spring Valley, Minn., two sons, Ryan (Angela) Forland of Spring Valley, Minn., and Reid (Amy) Forland of Spring Valley, Minn.  Her four grandchildren: Hadleigh, Cole, Jason and Cody.  She is also survived by one sister, Kim (Jim) Amdahl of Flandreau, S. Dak.; sister-in-law Mary (Don) Brumm of McFarland, Wis., sister-in-law Carrol (Dan) Cartney of LeRoy, Minn., and brother-in-law Craig (Ardis) Forland of Zumbrota, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Kenneth, mother Johannah, brother Konnie Vreeman and nephew Mat Vreeman. 

A private family graveside service will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minn. There will be a celebration of life for JoAnn in 2021 or when it is safe to have larger gatherings. Blessed be her memory.