Near the Des Moines River in Marion County, Iowa, is a small town known as Harvey, where on May 1, 1920, Johanna Mae Visser was born to Henry and Maggie (Vander Veer) Visser. Not long before Johanna's youngest brother Laverne was born, her family moved to a farm on the Pella side of the Des Moines River. She grew up in the Harvey area along with her three brothers and two sisters. Johanna attended and graduated from Harvey High School on May 14, 1937.

On November 23, 1937, at Johanna's parents' home her daughter Marilyn was born. Shortly thereafter Johanna moved from her parents' home to an apartment in Pella. On April 10th, 1941, just before her 21st birthday she began her career at the Rolscreen Company making venetian blinds. Before starting her first day of work Johanna realized she needed a better pair of shoes to wear, so her sister, Estellene, loaned her a pair, which were returned after Johanna was able to purchase a new pair with her first paycheck. She continued to work there until her retirement on August 5, 1986. At the time of her retirement after more than 45 years with the Rolscreen Company, only Pete Kuyper, the company's founder, had more years with the company than Johanna. She held this record for many years.

On December 23, 1956, Johanna married Charles "Bud" Manges in Oskaloosa, Iowa. They made their home in the house that Bud had built on Huber Street in Pella. Johanna was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pella for many years. She was also a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Later in her life Johanna enjoyed getting to know her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Following a stroke in September of 2010, Johanna was lovingly cared for by her daughter Marilyn, and the last four months by the girls from Compassionate Heart Homecare who, in the short time they knew her, formed a very special bond.

On Friday, September 23, 2011, Johanna went to be with her Lord and loved ones who have gone before her at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 91 years, 4 months, and 22 days.

Those who will cherish her memory are her husband, Charles "Bud" Manges and the following children and their families:

Marilyn Jellema
Kevin and Marcia Jellema
Megan and Chad Kephart
Jake, Matt Kephart
Amanda Jellema
Micah Morris
Seth Morris
Maliyah Darrington
Kim (Jellema) and Erick McCormick
Elijah and Bobbi Slagter
Brent and Missy McCormick
Heaven, Lilly
Brandon and Kalie McCormick
Marlee and Bo Boddicker
Tonya and Chad Boender
Zachary Boender
Bo Boddicker
Trenton Boddicker
Robin and Guy Luciano
John Jellema and Liz Haller

Charles Dana Manges
Craig and Roxanne Manges
Miles Manges
Corey and Debra Manges
Chanel Manges
Michelle Manges
Vanessa Manges

Johanna was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Engle "Babe", John, and Laverne Visser; two sisters, Wilma Tragger and Estellene De Jong; seven infant siblings; and her son-in-law, Marvin Jellema.

FUNERAL SERVICES

10:30 A.M. Friday, September 30, 2011
First Baptist Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Begins at Noon Thursday, September 29, 2011
with family present 6:00-8:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Hospice of Pella

FAMILY

Husband: Charles "Bud" Manges - Pella, IA
Daughter: Marilyn Jellema - Knoxville, IA
Step-Son: Charles Dana Manges - Dubuque, IA
Grandchildren: Kevin (Marcia) Jellema - Lenexa, KS
Kim Jellema (Erick McCormick) - Cumming, IA
Marlee (Bo) Boddicker - Knoxville, IA
Robin (Guy) Luciano - Knoxville, IA
John Jellema (Liz Haller) - Tulsa, OK
Craig W. (Roxanne) Manges - Fowler, CA
Corey A. (Debra) Manges - Grand Prairie, TX

---