Ellen Jean Vlaminck

Jean Vlaminck, age 88, of Kandiyohi, passed away Thursday evening, February 17, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 25, at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Spicer.  Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Kandiyohi.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Carris Health Rice Hospice or the Bethesda Foundation.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Ellen Jean “Jean” Vlaminck was born September 1, 1933, in Springfield, Minnesota, the daughter of Joseph “Joe” and Maudie (Surls) Ramsbacher.  They lived in Mountain Lake where Jean attended school to the 11th grade before moving to Marshall with her family.

Jean enjoyed roller skating, which is where she met the love of her life Lucien Leon Vlaminck.  Jean and Lucien were united in marriage on June 24, 1954, at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.   They lived and farmed east of Ivanhoe until 1967, after which they moved to Willmar and then in 1970, to their current residence in Kandiyohi.

Jean was a full-time mother.  In 1979, she began working as a CNA for Christian Nursing Home until retiring in 1996.  She enjoyed painting ceramics, baking (100’s of apple pies) traveling, gardening, raising chickens and embroidering on many dish clothes.  She always enjoyed offering a cup of coffee or a meal to all that would stop by.  She was involved in the Red Hat Society and served in church circles at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  She loved attending and supporting her children and grandchildren in their many activities.  During retirement, Jean enjoyed spending time with her family and wintering in Arizona.

Jean is survived by her seven children, Joe (and Carol) Vlaminck of Kandiyohi, Jeff (and Lores) Vlaminck of Rochester, Jesse (and Lois) Vlaminck of Spicer, Jon (and Tracy) Vlaminck of Willmar, Jacob (and Stacey) Vlaminck of Svea, Joy (and Michael) Gratz of Willmar and Jared Vlaminck (and special friend Holly) of Willmar; 22 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and one brother, Charles “Chuck” (and Betty) Ramsbacher of Nisswa, besides many nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Lucien in 2018; one son, Jay Vlaminck, one granddaughter, Kayla Gratz; her parents, Joseph and Maudie Ramsbacher, and one brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Cathy Ramsbacher.