Avis Janssen…83 of Lake Benton passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008 at the Hendricks Hospital.

Memorial Service will be held Wednesday 2:00p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00-7:30p.m. with a 7:00p.m. prayer service all held at the church. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service.

Private family burial will be held.

Tyler Area Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Avis Marcella (Smith) Janssen was born August 23, 1924 in Bushnell, South Dakota to Charles and Amanda (Berndt) Smith. She was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church in White, SD. Avis was raised on a farm near White and attended school near White, SD, During the war years she worked at the Rainbow Cafe in Brookings, SD.
Avis was united in marriage to Ervin John Janssen on February 23, 1946 in Pine City, MN. They farmed near Pine City for one year before moving back to White. They farmed near White and Elkton, SD until August 1967, when they moved into Lake Benton. There they operated a gas station at the south end of Lake Benton for a short period of time. Avis then worked at the Valley Cafe in Lake Benton and Gannon's in Pipestone. In 1976 she opened the Pleasant Inn in Lake Benton, followed by Avis' Coffee Shop in 1977. In 1979 she retired from the cafe business and opened a small day care in her home. Avis enjoyed crocheting, raising flowers, dancing and playing music. Together Avis and Ervin played the accordion and banjo for many local old time dances. In later years, she enjoyed accompanying her son on cross country trips in his semi truck, enabling her to visit many states across the country. She enjoyed working with the Opera House newsletters.

Avis Marcella Janssen passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008 at the Hendricks Hospital at the age of 83 years, 8 months and 5 days.

She is survived by her children Karen Christensen of Flandreau, SD; Gail (Bob) Worth of Lake Benton, and Bob Janssen of Lake Benton; Grandchildren: Danny Christensen of Aurora, SD, Doug (Lawana) Christensen of Brookings, SD, Darci Christensen (Shawn Ketcham) of Baltic, SD; Jon (Shanna) Worth of Lake Benton, Kim (Pat) Van Sloun of San Diego, CA; great grandchildren: Bryan, Brandon and Cody Jorgensen, Jarred Christensen, Josh Stuefen, Alexis and McKenzie Ketcham and Ava Van Sloun; four step great-grandchildren; one siser, Flora Stuefen of Brookings, SD, sisters-in-law, Marcie Smith of Brookings, SD, and Katie Smith of White, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Norman and Floyd Smith, sister Irene Grieme and three grandchildren.