Music & Dance Music-Dance News Jan-Feb'20 | Page 15

Music & Dance News
Obit: Joseph Moldan
Joseph C. Moldan,
age 89, of Searles, MN,
passed away peacefully
Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at
the New Ulm Medical
Center, with his family
at his side.
Joseph was the father
of Loretta Gerasch, a
member of The Leon
Olsen show; and grand-
father to Dain Moldan of
Dain’s Dutchmen. Joseph
repaired band equipment
with his welding skills,
and supported the bands
throughout his life.
Full military honors
were provided by the
New Ulm Area Com-
rades of Valor Honor
Guard during Mass of
Christian Burial Tues-
day, Nov. 19 at St. John
the Baptist Catholic
Church in Searles, MN.
Joseph “Joe” Moldan
was born Dec. 8, 1929,
in Mulligan Township,
Brown County, Min-
nesota, to George and
Mary (Sellner) Moldan.
He grew up on the
family farm near Com-
frey, MN, and attended
country school through
the eighth grade, two of
which were spent at St.
Marys’ Catholic School
in Sleepy Eye.
For 11 years, he worked
for his uncles and aunts
on their farms.
Joe helped build many
barns and farm buildings
in the surrounding area.
January/February 2020
Joseph Moldan supported old-time bands all his
life, including The Leon Olsen Show, and Dain’s
Dutchmen, which featured members of his
family.
He went into the Army
for two years, and spent
most of this time in Ko-
rea as a Corpsman and
Explosive EOD. Joe at-
tained the rank of Ser-
geant in the 14th INF
Reg. 25th DIV.
He was a proud mem-
ber of the Seifert-Bian-
chi American Legion
Post 132.
He was also a devout
and dedicated member
of St. John the Baptist
Catholic Church in Sear-
les, where he was also a
part of the St. Joseph/St.
Elizabeth Catholic Unit-
ed.
Joe was proud to be a
member of the Minneso-
ta Music Hall of Fame.
Joe met Dodie at Gul-
den’s Ballroom in Sear-
les. They were united in
marriage Aug. 26, 1958,
at the Immaculate Con-
ception Catholic Church
in St. Clair, MN. They
raised their family and
farmed together on their
dairy farm for more than
60 years.
Joe was a special dad;
always working hard to
provide and take care of
Mum and the kids.
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He enjoyed old-tyme
music, playing the con-
certina, gardening, any
sporting events, welding,
and fixing things for his
family and others.
He enjoyed shopping
and getting the grocer-
ies for the holidays and
many family get-togeth-
ers.
He had a special devo-
tion to the Sacred Heart.
Joseph is survived
by his wife of 61 years,
Joan “Dodie” (Depuydt)
Moldan; his eight chil-
dren, Fred (LuAnn), Te-
resa (Kenny) Berg, Andy
(Sue), Albert, Loretta
(Paul) Gerasch, Ben
(Kathy), George (Lau-
rie), and Rob (Cindy); he
was Grandpa Seppie to
Jeff, Marcy, Dain, Lisa,
Lori, Molly, Marisa,
John, Julie, Amy, Bran-
don, Jake, Nick, Nate,
Ben Jr., Brad, Elizabeth,
Joe, and Aubrey; three
step-grandchildren, Josh,
Jared, and Jessica Steele;
13 great-grandchildren,
and three step-great-
grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in
death by his parents,
George and Mary (Sell-
ner) Moldan; his sis-
ter, Mary (Valerian)
Woratschka; brothers,
William (Phyllis), Ed-
win, Florian (Dorothy);
and an infant brother,
two angels, and three
grand-angels in heaven.