Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 6, at St Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson for Jeanette Marie Van Tassel, 87, of Jefferson.
The Rev John Gerald, pastor of the church, will celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection. Sheilah Pound will be soloist, accompanied by Lois Last.
Casket bearers will be Kari Northeim, Katie Lynn Dinslage, James Truckenmiller, Norman Manken III, Heather Manken, Jeremiah Manken, Jacob Manken, Heidi Manken, Sebastian Van Tassel, Bianca Bakkar and Andre Bakkar. A private family burial will be held at the Hersey Cemetery in Brewster, MN.
Jeanette Marie Van Tassel of Jefferson, formerly of Sibley, was born to Bernard and Helen Feldhacker on September 6, 1931, in Crofton, NE. She was the eldest of 12 children and grew up in the Catholic faith. After graduating from Whiting High School, Jeanette was united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Van Tassel on September 9, 1949. To this union, five children were born.
After purchasing a cabin in Minnesota, they spent many years enjoying “the good life” at Lake Shetek. Jeanette enjoyed reeling in the big one and still retains the title “Fastest Fish Cleaner Known to Man!” All were welcomed at the cabin. For more than a decade, various family members enjoyed Lake Michigan fishing trips. Her brown trout is still the largest ever caught by the group.
Jeanette enjoyed helping the Sibley Cub Scouts, and received Scouting’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award. Later in life, she was active helping at the Sibley Dinner Date where she taught chair aerobics. Jeanette moved to Jefferson in June 2017.
Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many others enjoyed receiving her beautiful crocheted afghans, knitted quilts and an unbelievable assortment of uniquely hand crafted items. Her hands were always busy making cherished items.
In 2007, Jeanette and family members took an extensive driving exploration of Canada and Alaska. They have shared many great stories.
She was a faithful pen pal who loved to write back any time she received your correspondence. Get-togethers and family reunions were an important part of Jeanette’s life. She was extremely independent and self-reliant, even at the age of 87.
Jeanette passed away March 19, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.
Those left to cherish Jeanette in their memories are her children Linda (Doug) Truckenmiller of Sioux Falls, SD, Rich Van Tassel of Spirit Lake, Roger (Debra) Van Tassel of Eden Prairie, MN, Vicki (Norman, Jr.) Manken, Ogden, and Randy (Jody) Van Tassel of Middleton, WI; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Kari (Justin) Northeim and Dylan and Brooke, Katie (Matthew) Dinslage and Becca, Sam and Nick, James Truckenmiller and Gavin, Norman Manken III and Norman IV, Heather Manken, Jeremiah (Jessica) Manken and Madilyn, Jacob (Amy) Manken and Emmett;,Heidi Manken (Kalen), Sebastian Van Tassel, Bianca Bakkar;,and Andre’ Bakkar; siblings Ralph Feldhacker (Barb), Lucille Tuel, Phyllis Lowe (Donnie), Amy (Virgil) Heidebrink, Ken (Margaret) Feldhacker, Stanley (Ann) Feldhacker;,Elaine Hines ,and Wayne (Alicia) Feldhacker; and many other relatives and friends.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband Dick; brothers Melvin and Francis Feldhacker; sister Cindy Ray; grandchildren Melissa, Stephanie, and Tiphanie Manken, and Adam Bakkar.
The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
