Eileen VanHavermaet

Eileen J. VanHavermaet, age 82 of Sauk Centre, died Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 29 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5:15 p.m. Thursday evening followed by the Christian Mothers rosary at 7 p.m.

Eileen Jeanette Stegner was born March 24, 1927 in Sauk Centre to Clayton and Viola (Wells) Stegner. On September 25, 1945 she was united in marriage to Norbert VanHavermaet at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. The couple farmed all their life together. She took a lot of pride in the farm, especially milking the cows. Eileen enjoyed gardening and was well known for her baked beans. Eileen moved from the farm to Riverview Manor in July of 2001. In March of 2008, she moved to St. Michael's Nursing Home, where she was known as the "Hat Lady." She enjoyed playing cards, BINGO, and collecting hats, dolls, angels and other figurines. Eileen took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and loved visiting with family and friends. Eileen was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church.

Eileen will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends including her children, Paulette (Roger) Hendrickson of Long Prairie, Sandy (special friend Howard Berger) Gralnek of Scottsdale, Arizona, Roxann (Bill) Peglow of Garfield, and Mark (Gail) VanHavermaet of Sauk Centre; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren with one more due in August.

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband Norbert on October 9, 1982; son Larry VanHavermaet on August 11, 1968; parents; brother, Cecil Stegner; sister, Lucille Egge; sons-in-law, Jack Marthaler and Donald Gralnek.

Serving as casket bearers will be Todd Hendrickson, Eric Hendrickson, Sara Hendrickson, Andy Nathe, Rick Ward, and Matthew Peterson. Cross bearer will be her granddaughter and godchild, Missy Ward and scripture bearer will be her granddaughter Kelly VanHavermaet. Honorary cross bearer will be Lucy VanHavermaet. Honorary bearers will be her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.