Marie Jansen

Marie Jansen of Clara City died Monday, February 21, 2022 at the Clara City Care Center at the age of 89.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City.

Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.

Marie Joanna Jansen was born June 7, 1932, the oldest of seven children born to Adrian and Jennie (Kooi) Haverhals, in rural Lebanon, Iowa. She was baptized at Lebanon Christian Reformed Church. She attended country school, graduated Salutatorian from Sioux Center High School, was a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Rapids. Marie taught eight grades at once in country school in rural Sioux Center.

On July 26, 1951, Marie married Ed Jansen at Lebanon Christian Reformed Church. Ed and Marie lovingly raised four children and 27 foster children, including 17 newborns. They farmed together for 40 years near Clara City. Marie was a hard working farm wife who had a big garden, canned, liked washing and hanging clothes out on the line, baking bread and making applesauce. Neighbors, members of the Clara City Christian Reformed and Bethany Reformed churches became life-long friends. She enjoyed Sunday afternoon visiting, picnics at the lake, and reading. Marie was an active volunteer at church and influenced many through Bible Study and teaching Sunday school, Catechism and Vacation Bible School. She also volunteered extensively at the Clara City Care Center. Marie was well-known as the thoughtful lady who sent encouraging and congratulatory notes to many people. She treated people with kindness and made anyone near her feel like they mattered. Marie loved people and helping people which suited her servant heart

Marie is survived by her husband, Ed; her children Loren (Rosemary) Jansen of Lowry, MN, Murlaine, Dean and Tom Jansen, Clara City; her beloved grandchildren: Tracy (fiancé Matt Radil)Peabody, Julie (Brent) Bruss, Kelly (Mike) Dechaine, Josh (Jen) Alm, Zack (Simone) Rieger, and her adorable great-grandchildren:  Michael, Amber and Emily Peabody; James, Evan and Sophie Radil; Halle and Hannah Bruss; Cam, Carson, Brooks and Avi Dechaine; William and Aric Rieger; brothers John (Bernice) Haverhals, Rob (Val) Haverhals, Art (Christa) Haverhals, Larry (Betty) Haverhals;  sister-in-law Anna Marie Gortsema, along with extended family and friends. All of these she loved and touched deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents Adrian and Jennie Haverhals, sister Greta Cavanaugh and brother Doug Haverhals, in-laws: Henry and Cornelia Jansen, Mike and Ken Garettson, Cornie and Ruth Jansen, Junior and Winona Jansen, Don Jansen, Raymond Gortsema, and son-in-law Mark Rieger.

Marie passed away on Monday, February 21, at the Clara City Care Center at the age of 89. Her love for her husband and family will be forever remembered. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and her community.