Joseph Rabaey

Joe was born January 28, 1922, on the family farm just northwest of Minneota, the oldest of four children, to Alfred and Irene (Waeyaert) Rabaey. Following graduation from Minneota High School in 1940, he went on to farm in partnership with his father and later his brother for many years. On November 8, 1958, Joe married Katherine Feldman at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Credit River Township, Minnesota. The couple made their home on the family farm and raised seven children. He was a life long member of St. Edward Catholic Church and served as an usher. Joe was a honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus and the clerk for Eidsvold Township for twenty-five years. Joe was a very quiet but thoughtful man who rarely forgot a birthday or anniversary. He loved and supported his children, determined that each receive a strong Catholic education. His grandchildren could always look forward to a warm hug and a filled candy dish when they came to visit. Second to his family was Joe’s passion for farming; spring planting and fall harvest were his favorite times of the year. Joe died on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the Minneota Manor Health Care Center. Survivors include his four daughters; Mary Kaye of Minneota, Margaret (Jeff) Thompson of Plymouth, Ann (Ken) Osgood of Eagan and Joan (Kevin) Kulow of Lander, Wyoming; three sons: Fred (Margrit) of Taunton, John (Jennifer) of Marshall and Paul (Paula) of Hastings, twenty five grandchildren, one sister Geraldine Green of Monrovia, CA; one brother Francis (Grace) of Taunton and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Bing Tillemans. Memorials are preferred to the St. Edward Catholic School Endowment Fund or Prairie Home Hospice.