Winnie Jans was born in Archer, Iowa, on November 6, 1920. She was the daughter of Ralph and Florence (Hector) Vander Veen. She grew up on the farm near Melvin, Iowa. When she started school, she was only able to speak Dutch, so her parents had to start speaking English. As a young lady, Winnie worked as a housekeeper in a Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa. Winnie met Jake Jans one evening when she filled in for someone on a blind date. Winnie and Jake were united in marriage on a farm near Melvin, Iowa, on October 4, 1943. They began farming between Hull and Boyden, Iowa, until 1952 when they purchased a farm near Boyd, Minnesota. They milked cows, raised hogs, chickens, and cattle and worked the land for 37 Years. In 1987 they retired and moved to a home in Clarkfield, Minnesota. Winnie was a lifelong member of the Reformed Church. She was baptized and made Confession of Faith at her church in Iowa. She has been a faithful member of Hope Reformed Church in Montevideo, Minnesota, since 1952. She was an active member of the Ladies Aid until her time of death. Winnie is probably best remembered for her "good cooking" and her love of birds and butterflies. She loved to go camping and fishing with Jake and playing cards with her friends. She also loved meeting with her many friends when she went to her "Homemakers" Club meetings. Winnie passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2005, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 27 days. She is survived by her four sons and one daughter: Jake LeRoy (and Carolyn) Jans, Harold (and Rita) Jans, and Rodney (and Martha) Jans all of Montevideo, Faye (and Stan) Harms of Clara City, Minnesota, and Larry (and Sue) Jans of Clarkfield. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, six grandsons-in-law and one granddaughter-in-law. Also surviving are three sisters: Hilda Oltman of Parkersburg, Iowa, Betty Zevenbergen of Little Rock, Iowa, and Rose (and Harold) Sankey of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; two brothers: Klaas (and Margaret) Vander Veen of Ocheyedan, Iowa, and Bernard Vander Veen of Worthington, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jake in 2000, one brother Fred, sister-in-law Kathryn Vander Veen and two brothers-in-law: John DeBondt and Ben Oltman. Visitation Friday, November 4, 2005 * 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Prayer Service 7:00 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Saturday, November 5, 2005 * 1:30 p.m. Hope Reformed Church of Montevideo, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Mike Altena Organist, Bev Sneller Vocal Music Randall Garrett, "Beyond the Sunset" Winnie's Granddaughters, "Softly and Tenderly" Honorary Casketbearers (Granddaughters and Granddaughters-in-law) Stephanie Jans * Stacey Rodeberg Brenda Darling * Laura Streich Debra Jans * Anna Jans Jennifer Dirksen * Sara Garrett Jule Millman * Karen Jans Angie (Linden) Jans * Nicole Willander * Amanda Baumgart Casket Bearers (Grandsons and Grandsons-in-law) Douglas Jans * Scott Jans Kris Rodeberg * Dennis Darling Gene Streich * Dan Dirksen Randall Garrett * Mike Jans * Jim Millman Final Resting Place Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery, Clarkfield, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota