Brookings : Feb. 26, 1929 - Oct. 22, 2024

Laura Mans

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Laura (Van Beek) Mans passed away peacefully at the Neighborhoods at Brookview, Brookings, SD on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. Laura will be remembered as loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.
Laura was born on Feb. 26, 1929, in Volga, SD, to parents Marcus and Helene Schonewill.
On Dec. 8, 1948, Laura was united in marriage to Conrad Van Beek in Volga, SD. After their marriage, they farmed near Volga until Conrad died in July of 1985. In May of 2002, Laura married Robert “Bob” Mans who passed away in November 2010.
Laura received her education in rural school districts No. 94 and No. 78. She graduated from Volga High School in 1947. In her high school yearbook — The Tetonkaha, Laura was named “Best-Looking Girl,” “Girl Most Likely to Succeed,” and “Most Studious Girl.” She was an administrator at the Extension Service at South Dakota State College before becoming a mom to her five children. In 1982, she began working in the Sioux Valley School as a tutor in the Chapter I program. Throughout her life, Laura was a woman of deep faith and an active member of the Volga Christian Reformed Church, involved in Ladies Aid, GEMS, Gideon Auxiliary, and Bible Study.
Laura has a large and adoring family; five children Marcia (Steve) Moore, Marilyn (Ron) Lunt, Doug (Chris) Van Beek, Bev (George) Cotton, and Lenae (Steve) Schwartz, two stepchildren, Wayne (Chris) Mans and Gary Mans. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren (Chris, Justin, Lindsay, Candice, Emily, David, Randy, Mickey, Les, Aubrey, Laura, Hanna, Alex.) She was blessed with three step-grandchildren (Travis, Meghan, James) and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her youngest sister Carol Albright.
Laura is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, children Marcia, Marilyn, Doug. In addition, sisters Kathryn, Gertrude, Ruth, brothers Edward, Burnette, Duane.
Visitation will be on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Eidsness Chapel, 217 Kasan Avenue, Volga, SD 57071. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, at the Christian Reformed Church in Volga, SD. Laura will be laid to rest at the Trinity Cemetery immediately following the service.