Jeanne Van Malsen

     Roma Jeanne Van Malsen was born May 23, 1926 in Albany, New York, the daughter of Robert and Faye (Donaldson) Lyons and lived in Oswego, NY. At age 4 she moved to Pipestone, MN and later graduated from Luverne High School.

     She was united in marriage to John Christian Van Malsen on February 1, 1945 at Steen Reformed Church in Steen, MN. They lived briefly in Luverne, MN before moving to Hills, MN. Five children were born to this union, Gary Lee, Barbara “Bobbie” Jean, Susan “Susie” Kay, Sheryl “Shari” La Rae, and Kevin Jay.

     She was a member of First Baptist Church in Luverne, MN and the Hills American Legion Post No. 399. Jeanne loved sewing, gardening, canning, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, roller skating and being a beautician. She especially loved playing with her children and grandchildren. Jeanne was also known for her cakes and pies. She provided seamstress services to many. Jeanne and John shared many years together, gardening and canning were one of the activities they enjoyed. On April 9, 2012 Jeanne’s husband, John died, after 67 years of marriage. Jeanne continued living in their home until she entered the Hill Tuff Memorial Home, in the spring of 2015.

     She is survived by her son, Gary Van Malsen of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Sheryl “Shari” (husband, Grant) Matthews of Delano, MN; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sons-in-law, Michael Petersen of Hatton, ND and Robert “Bob” Johnson of Humboldt, SD; sister-in-law, Kathleen “Kaye” Lyons of Westminster, CO; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Lyons and Faye Hagen; husband, John Van Malsen; three children, Barbara “Bobbie” Petersen, Susan “Susie” Johnson and Kevin Van Malsen; a grandson, Tony Matthews; a great-grandson, Patrick Leonard; and two brothers, Nolan, and Dale Lyons; and a sister, Ardyth Scholze.