Jennie Maassen

Rock Valley, IA: Jennie Maassen, 93, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. A funeral service will be held Friday, April 25, at 10:30 AM at First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.christianworldmedia.com/livechannel/firstcrcrv. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service from 9:15-10:15 AM at First CRC.

   Memorials may be directed to Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. 

   Jennie Maassen, daughter of Willem and Jennigjen (Hubers) Kooiman was born May 17, 1931, at Pease, Minnesota. Shortly after her birth, Jennie’s mother died and Willem’s brother and sister-in-law, Walt and Dena Kooiman took Jennie in and raised her.

   On December 6, 1950, Jennie was united in marriage with Marinus Maassen. The couple lived south of Rock Valley, Iowa until moving into town in 1963. Together they raised their 8 children, Jennie devoted her life to caring for her family as a loving and dedicated stay-at-home mom. As her children grew older, Jennie drove bus for Hope Haven for many years. In 2020, Jennie made her home at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. Her family would like to thank the staff for their loving care over the last 5 years. They would also like to thank Gentiva Hospice for their loving care in her final days.

   Jennie had a gift for making people feel at home. Her door was always open, the coffee pot was always on, and visitors never left without a laugh or a good story. She loved a good game of Wahoo, or any game, really, as long as it meant spending time with family and friends. Jennie had a quick wit and always had something clever or funny to say, leaving smiles and laughter in her wake. During her years in Whispering Heights, she still enjoyed playing Wahoo and looked forward to Fridays when she would have lunch at Bistro 67 with her family.

   Jennie is survived by 6 children, Sandi (Steve) Anderson of Hull, Iowa, Dwayne “Butch” (Karen) Maassen of Sioux Center, Iowa, Bradley Maassen (Mike Clark) of Cardiff, California, Larry (Pam) Maassen, Leanne (Doug) Bliek, and Brent (Carisa) Maassen all of Rock Valley; 2 daughters-in-law, Liane Maassen of Rock Valley, and Donna Maassen of Albers, Illinois; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marinus in 2016; 2 sons, Doug in 2023 and Myron “Mike” in 2024; son-in-law, Peter Koehler in 2012; 3 sisters; 5 half-sisters; 4 brothers; and 2 half-brothers.