Marlene Van Maanen, 83 years old, passed away peacefully June 5 at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center. She had a wonderful day surrounded by family and is no longer struggling Parkinson's Disease.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 8, 2018, at the First Lutheran Church in Volga, South Dakota, beginning at 10:30 A.M.  Burial will follow the service at First Lutheran Cemetery in Volga.  Visitation will be held the evening prior, Thursday, June 7, 2018, at the Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Volga, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the familly with arrangements.

Marlene was born October 26, 1934 to Orville and Zelda (Thode) Eggebraaten.  She graduated from Rutland High School with honors including the distinctive honor of being the high point person on her basketball team every game for all four years of high school.  Her team never lost a game!

She met Henry Van Maanen at the roller skating rink at Lake Campbell after her junior year in high school.  They wore out the wheels several times on those skates. They were married on November 28, 1953 at Lutheran Church in Rutland, SD.

Marlene and "H.E." spent a big part of their lives farming by Volga, SD.  Marlene kept very busy keeping the household running, cleaning, cooking and baking for all that worked on the farm.  She also held down a part-time accounting job at Bibby Dairy in Brookings.

Marlene and H.E. moved off the farm in 1977.   She then enjoyed working at the hardware store (always known as the best paint lady)  and later the grocery store in downtown Volga.  The interaction with her customers was the joy of her day and her energy for serving others never ended.

Marlene was also quite the practical jokester and loved telling stories about toilet papering her brother-in-law's home, and hiding in the meat cooler to scare her boss at the grocery store.  Her joy for living and laughing was apparent to all.

Marlene loved her involvement in First Lutheran Church in Volga.  Her dear friends are those from the Circles, Bible Studies, and work groups at the church.  She also thoroughly enjoyed camping, trips to Branson, MO, and spending time with family and to the end loved to watch and hold the little kids.

Marlene loved meaning of Christmas, the angels that hung on her tree, the great variety of cookies that were baked, (especially the 'famous' Cherry Bon Bons), the family coming home, and the traditional dice games.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Orville & Zelda Eggebraaten.

She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Henry, and her children Deb (Michael) Cranny of Brainerd, MN, Scott Van Maanen (fiancé Zoe Peterson) of Coleman, SD and Paul Van Maanen of Shakopee, MN and her grandchildren, Travis (Sarah) Van Maanen, Trent (Katie) Van Maanen, Tiffany (Seth) Skinner, Keli (Peter) Books, Katelin Cranny (fiancé Zach Hohertz), Alex Van Maanen, and Ty Van Maanen and eleven great grandchildren.  Also important was her special friend Bette Nelson and neighbor Adriana Kleinjan.

Family wants to extend a special thank you to her loving caregivers from Interim Health Care, the Brookings Hospital, and the Estelline Nursing and Care Center.