Joan Theresa "Dodie" Moldan

Joan T. "Dodie" Moldan, age 93 of Searles passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm.
Mass of Christian burial will be 12 pm on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Searles. Father Jerry Meidl will celebrate the Mass, and burial will follow in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in rural Searles.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, and continue from 9-11:30 am on Wednesday all at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-North Chapel in New Ulm.
The Christian Mothers will pray the rosary at 4 pm on Tuesday at the Cathedral in New Ulm.
To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org
Dodie is survived by her eight children, Fred (LuAnn) Moldan, Teresa (Kenny) Berg, Andy (Sue) Moldan, Albert Moldan, Loretta Gerasch, Ben (Kathy) Moldan, George (Laurie) Moldan, Rob (Cindy) Moldan; she was Gramma Dodie to Jeff, Marcy, Dain, Lisa, Lori, Molly, Marisa, John, Julie, Amy, Brandon, Jake, Nick, Nate, Ben Jr., Brad, Elizabeth, Joe, Aubrey; three step-grandchildren, Josh, Jared, and Jessica Steele; 22 great-grandchildren, and 5 step-great-grandchildren.
Joan "Dodie" Depuydt was born May 7, 1931, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato, Minnesota to Peter and Cecilia (Renne) Depuydt. She grew up on the family farm near St. Clair, Minnesota. She attended country school through the eighth grade at Burlison District #117. Dodie then went to Loyola High School for one year, and then three more years at St. Clair High School where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class in 1949. After graduation, she worked on the family farm, helping with housework and chores outside. She planted and took care of many beautiful flower gardens. Dodie especially loved gladiolas. Dodie met Joe Moldan at Gulden's Ballroom in Searles, Minnesota. They were united in marriage on August 26, 1958, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Clair. After marriage they raised their family and farmed together on their dairy farm for over 60 years. When a bad farm accident left Joe completely deaf, Dodie went on to help him get well again and became his way of communicating with the outside world with lip reading and writing things down when Joe could not understand. They rarely went places without each other. She loved her life with Joe and always had time for her kids and grandkids. Her favorite times were when her whole crew was home. Some of the things the family looked forward to were her homemade Valentines for each person, the Easter egg hunt outside, the Easter basket for everyone, and the homemade bunny shaped buns, the Halloween treasure hunt, Thanksgiving dinner with special dressing, and homemade buns and Christmas gifts and socks for everyone filled with treats. Some other past-times she enjoyed were old-tyme music, dancing, playing the piano, sewing, doing the laundry, cooking and baking, gardening, and canning. She also enjoyed going to her kids and grandkids events. Dodie was a devout and dedicated member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Searles where she was also a member of the St. John's Catholic United Financial, the Christian Mothers Society, and the CCW. Dodie was a member of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. She had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Cecilia Depuydt; her husband, Joe on November 15, 2019; her son-in-law, Paul Gerasch; her sister Dorothy (Florian) Moldan; her four brothers, John (Mary), Gervase (Helen), Clem, Leonard (Lucille) Depuydt, two angels, and three grand angels in heaven.
Memorials are preferred to the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery or the donor's choice.
Mvfh.org