Eileen Mary Jansen (Vandehey)
Obituary
Eileen Jansen, 89, a resident of the Forest Grove community, died Saturday evening, September 1, 2012 at her home in Forest Grove.
EILEEN (VANDEHEY) JANSEN was born February 10, 1923 in Verboort, Oregon and was the daughter of the late Edward and Minnie (Hermans) Vandyke. She was raised and received her education in the Verboort community.
As a young girl, Eileen attended baseball games played by Verboort's semipro team and developed an affection for Larry Jansen, who at the time was 17 and was an outstanding pitcher.
She was united in marriage to Lawrence "Larry" Joseph Jansen on January 18, 1940 at the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort, where both were born and raised.
After their marriage they made their home in Verboort where they raised their 10 children while Larry continued his professional baseball career. Eileen traveled with their children during the summers to New York, San Francisco and Chicago so they could keep their family together.
Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, October 10, 2009, only 3 months shy of celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.
Eileen always had a deep love for her husband, children and grandchildren. Family meant everything to Eileen. Even in her last days she could be found playing 'trucks and cars' with her great-grandchildren. She lived for those precious visits no matter how weak or tired she might be toward the last. Among her other interests were fishing and crabbing, especially in their boat the "Five & Five", named in honor of her five sons and five daughters. She was a great and amazing mom and grandma and friend to many and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Martha Verboort and many brother and sister in laws.
Survivors include her ten children and their spouses, Darlene and Bud Greene, of Hillsboro, Oregon; Dale and Mary Jansen, of Lake Oswego, Oregon; Sandie Jansen, of Oregon City, Oregon; Shirley and Ross VanderZanden, of LaGrande, Oregon; Ken and Kathleen Ross, of Yamhill, Oregon; Lynne Barber of Allen, Texas; Greg and Judy Jansen, of Hillsboro, Oregon; Bob and Barb Jansen, of Hillsboro, Oregon; Keith Jansen and Anita Martinez, of Dallas, Texas and Jim and Sherri Jansen, of Castle Rock, Colorado; her half-sister, Eunice VanDyke, of Verboort, Oregon and her brother and sister in laws. Also surviving are twenty-two grandchildren, over forty great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the Visitation Church, Hospice and St. Jude's Children Hospital in her memory.