Irene Janssen
November 01, 2011
Irene A Janssen, 65, died Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. She was born Irene Anna Maria van Haeften on September 15, 1946 in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, to Albert van Haeften and Miesje (ten Ham) van Heaften. Her mother died January 5, 1947. Irene lived with relatives until 1951 when her father married Trudy De Pauw. Trudy was the only mother she knew. They moved to Toronto, Canada in April 1952 where Irene grew up. There were three other children in the family, Pieter, Miesje, and Bill. In 1964 Irene moved to the U.S. She was married in 1965. They ended up in Des Moines and in 1973 she became a U.S. citizen and had a daughter, Carol-Anne Dawson who died in 1988. In 1982 she married David Janssen. After he died, she continued to live in Des Moines. She then met Larry Sparks in 2004. They enjoyed life together traveling. Shortly after her stroke in 2007, they moved to Lynnville where he also became her caregiver.
Irene worked at what is now called CDS Global for almost 30 years. When she was medically retired in 2007, she was the Circulation Audit Manager. Irene loved working at CDS and was what you would call a workaholic. (Had a great boss!) She also enjoyed flower gardening (she would actually measure the distance between each plant with a tape measure and it had to be within 1/8”), going to car shows, home and garden shows, and spending time with friends and family. She was a very energetic, caring, and giving person that would do anything to help a friend.
Her memory is honored by Larry Sparks; sister, Miesje (Tom) Cremasco of Guelph, Ontario; brothers, Pieter van Haeften of Mississauga, Ontario and Bill (Wendie) van Haeften of Mexico; aunts and uncles, Wil and Joep ten Ham and Adri and Joop ten Ham of the Netherlands; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; Brenda (Mick) Denmark; ‘honorary’ grandsons, Adam and Nicholas Denmark; and many friends. Irene was preceded in death by her mother, Miesje; father, Akkie; stepmother, Trudy; daughter, Carol-Anne; husband, Dave; and nephew, Scott.
Mies ter Horst-ten Ham
11/14/2011
Dear Larry, Miesje, Pieter and Bill,
Please accept my condolences on the death of Irene. She was my cousin and I loved her.
I wish you courage in coming to terms with your sorrow.
With kindest regards,
Mies ter Horst-ten Ham
(Adri and Joop's daughter)
Shirley Jacobsen
11/10/2011
To Irene's family and friends, my deepest sympathy for your loss. I knew Irene through work at CDS Global. Irene was a very caring person and I enjoyed talking with her about work (and occasionally non-work). I am sure she will be missed. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Shirley
ingrid scholte van haeften
11/08/2011
Daer Larry,
How sad to hear that Irene passed away so young.
Actually we only had contact when we where childeren. All together with my sister karen van haeften, and pieter and miesje.
we also knew akkie and trudy. I remember them very good. a lot of nice memories.
I even don't know you Larry....
we wish you a lot of beautiful memories. it must be a great lose.
love ingrid scholte van haeften and frans (my husband)
karen van haeften and Nico van berkel (her husband)
Mary Joan Dawson Waid
11/07/2011
Dear Larry,
Thank you so much for sending notification of Irene's death. The obituary from Hamilton's was such a nice tribute to Irene. I was so happy for Irene when she told me she meet you. It sounds like you two had some really happy years. And, that you were a great support when her health was compromised.
Irene was indeed a generous friend. The part of her life that she share with my brother was filled with trouble. Still, Irene contacted me when she came to New York on business trips. I looked forward to seeing her every time. Irene was a special person and she will be missed by so many.
With condolences,
Mary Joan Dawson Waid
Nancy Moon
11/07/2011
I had the privelege of working with Irene for many years at CDS and then when she prepared the audit reports for the Meredith titles. In spite of the many heartaches she was called upon to endure, she always stayed positive. A true measure of the strong, loving, and caring person that she was. I admired her greatly. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, her family and her many friends.
Robert Boyd
11/06/2011
Larry and all of Irene's family and friends,
My most sincere condolences. I was absolutely shocked to hear of Irene's passing. I worked with her for many years at CDS and for most of those years was in daily contact with her. I left CDS in '93 and to say it was a joy to have her as a friend and colleague would be a monumental understatement. May the pain and sorrow you now feel be soon replaced by cherished memories.
Robert Boyd
Prescott, Az
poppy@cableone.net
Shirley Streight
11/04/2011
Dear Larry, Brenda and friends and family of Irene,
Sorry to hear of your loss. Praying the Lord will continue to strenghten and comfort you during this difficult time. Sorry I will not be able to make it to visitation or the funeral, but will be thinking of you.
Margot Voshell
11/04/2011
Larry, family and friends of Irene,
The staff and participants at Willowbrook Adult Day Center wish to express our sincere gratitude for the honor of getting to know and spend time with Irene over the past three years. We are very sorry for your loss as will miss her tremendously.
We had lots of laughs trying to pronounce Irene the way you would in the Netherlands. Her smile and sense of humor, particularly the time when she dressed as the pink Energizer bunny for Halloween, made her time with us that much more special. Irene's contagious laughter can still be heard throughout the center. We will miss Irene's special way of making those around her feel better about themselves.
Selfishly, we feel she left us too soon as we felt she had so much more to teach us. But, we know she is now with those she has lost and loved.
Larry, please stop by and see us as you will always be part of the Willowbrook family.
Irene, we love you and will miss you.
Margot Voshell, Director, Jennifer Guinan, Life Enrichment Partner, Dee Gibbs, Event Coordinator, the staff and participants of Willowbrook
Newton, Iowa
Jeremy Plowman
11/03/2011
I grew up over at Dave and Irene's home as a kid because they lived across the street from my grandparents and I would visit as much as I could as a kid. They both were amazing people with such big hearts. They looked after me and kept me out a mischeif as a kid. They were like second parents for sure. Irene was always a shining star with so much wisdom. I am a better person now just for knowing her and the way she was so helpful and giving to others. She will most definately be missed but I know she is in a better place now and can see her Carol again. My prayers go out to her family!!
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fails..never ending. Love you!!
Jeremy Plowman
41226 Doyle St.
Indio, CA. 92203
Judy and Bill Noorlander
11/03/2011
We are very saddened to hear of Irene's passing. She was a family member of the Noorlander family for a very long time and we'll all miss her.
May she rest in peace.
Barb & Leigh and family
11/03/2011
Larry and family
We are very sorry to hear about Irene. We always enjoyed her the few times that we were together. I know how much she loved Adam and Nick. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love
Barb, Leigh and family.
Jean Schmidt
11/03/2011
I am so sorry that you have now lost Irene Larry. You have been through so much with the 2 women in your life it hardly seems fair. Please hang in there and know we are thinking of you.
Love,
Preston & Jean Ann
Mirjam ten Ham, NL
11/03/2011
Lieve Irene,
We will remember you with love and warmth, and - as always has been-
we will keep you in our heart... forever!
Strenght to Miesje, Peter and Larry in those hard days and also for the coming
period.
Distance and time seems to be so long and far, but feelings and love have no distance
at all, so we are close to you!
Dikke knuffel en honderdduizenddddddd kusjes uit Nederland,
Mirjam
Wil ten Ham
11/02/2011
Dearest Irene, you left us so suddenly. We know that you are on a good place in a world of light together with your beloved ones who passed away earlier. We thank you for having been part of our life.You will stay in our heart and mind.
Dear Larry, Miesje and Peter, we wish you lots of power to cope with this great lost. May the good memories cover the empty place. Love from your family in NL. Wil