Jennie Vaselaar, 91, formerly of White, SD, passed away very peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, surrounded by her loving family south of Hendricks, MN.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, beginning at 1 p.m. The service will be live streamed on the Eidsness Funeral Home website at the time of the service. Interment will immediately follow the service at Fairview Cemetery in White, South Dakota. A time of fellowship is tentatively planned for 3 p.m. Friday afternoon at the McKnight Community Hall in White. Visitation will be held the evening prior, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, from 5 until 6:30 p.m., and a time of sharing and prayer will be held from 6:30 until 7:00 p.m. that evening. The time of sharing and prayer will be live streamed on the Eidsness Funeral Home website beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Jennie was born March 22, 1929, on a farm between Brookings and Colman in Moody County, SD the youngest child of Albert James and Jennie Louisa (Platts) Hay.
Her education included elementary school at Midway #32 in Moody County and Springdale #36 in Deuel County. She attended Clear Lake High School for three years and graduated from White High School in 1947.
On Feb. 19, 1947, Jennie married Robert Deane Vaselaar at Lake Benton, MN. They were blessed to raise 8 children.
Mom devoted her life to being a farm wife and mother. She lovingly exemplified the worthy woman in Proverbs 31. She helped feed livestock, mowed hay, washed milking equipment, and was a faithful helper on the farm in every way. She baked bread every other day, and the angel food cakes she baked for birthdays were delicious.
She canned and froze vegetables throughout the summer, sewed clothes for family, and provided a loving home.
She worked 10 years for the White Care Center, retiring as dietary manager, and later was employed as a dietary assistant at the Deubrook Area School in White.
Jennie was a member of the United Methodist Church and a life member of the American Legion auxiliary, Higgins-Jessen unit # 88 White, SD, was active and served on many committees, and held several appointive and elective offices in the church and auxiliary.
Some her favorite activities included cooking, sewing, reading, gardening, and family. She was interested in journalism and especially enjoyed her years publishing the American Legion Post #88 newsletter (The Bugle).
She enjoyed providing calendars to the family with the family birthday and anniversary dates handwritten on them.
A God fearing woman, Jennie was baptized into Jesus her Lord and Savior on Sept. 29, 2013, in the Missouri River.
She is survived by her family, including 7 daughters and 1 son, Nona Krier of Lake Benton, MN; Terrie Wallenstein of Sioux Falls, SD; Roberta (John) Knutson of White, SD; Robin Shuman of Lake Benton, MN; Gregory (Lila) Vaselaar of Huron, SD; Caroline Pregon of Packwood, IA; Barbara Hagemann of Brandon, SD; and Dana Huisman of Sioux Falls, SD; 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband; 2 brothers, Howard and Clarence; 4 sisters, Mary Jones, Edith Bauman, Loretta Bauman, and Marjorie Maseman; 4 sons-in-law, Philip Krier, Gary Wallenstein, Doug Shuman, and Jim Hagemann; two infant great grandchildren (Krier), and several nieces and nephews.
Although floral arrangements are appreciated, Jennie’s family prefers that memorial donations be made in remembrance of her to the Diamond Willow Ministry in Fort Thompson, South Dakota, or to a charity of choice.
