Patricia Doris (DeGraff) Muilenburg was born on October 7, 1930 in South Holland,
IL, the daughter of Peter and Evelyn (Huyser) DeGraff.
She grew up in South Holland and graduated from South Holland High School in 1948.
Pat then continued her education at Central College in Pella, IA and graduated
with a teaching degree in 1952.
Also in 1952 she was united in marriage to Gerald Muilenburg in South Holland,IL.
To this union six children were born: Greg, Laurie, Anne, Peggy, Jon and Susan.
Pat and her husband were married for twenty-two years and then divorced.
Pat taught Art and other subjects at many different schools throughout the years.
She later received her Master’s Degree from University of South Dakota in
Vermillion, SD.
Pat was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sibley, where she was very
active as a Bible study leader, singing in choir and working with the woman’s
groups.
She volunteered at the museum in Sibley through the Osceola County Historical
Society.
She enjoyed camping trips and travel with her family, going swimming and having
picnics.
Other activities included sewing, quilting, gardening and antiquing.
She loved spending time with her family playing games like Yahtzee, card games
and jigsaw puzzles.
She will be greatly missed.
Pat is survived by her six children: Greg (Ann) Muilenburg of Iowa City, IA, Laurie (Chuck) Southwick of Des Moines, IA, Anne Bentson of Sioux City, IA, Peggy (Lyle) Marnach of Harrisburg, SD, Jon (Melynn) Muilenburg of Eden Prairie, MN and Susan (Jason) Tauzell of Hudson, WI; thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Howard Borgman of Port Huron, MI; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Evelyn DeGraff; brother, Lawrence DeGraff; two sisters, Carol Borgman and Iva Stassan; and a brother-in-law, August Stassan.
M. Jean (Goodsell) Muilenburg has been called to her resting place, in God's arms on
January 30, 2010.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City, Nebraska with Father Dan Wittrock officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery in South Sioux City. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, February 5, 2010 at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
Mary Jean was born September 2, 1929 in rural Hartington, Nebraska to loving parents, Leonard and Mary (Schwartz) Haberman, and resided in the area until 1946. She then moved to Dakota City, Nebraska and started her 13 year career with the Dakota County Welfare Office as secretary, and soon became a case worker. During this time she met and married her 1st husband and father of her children, C.J. Goodsell. In 1959 she started her 5 year career with Congressman Ralph F. Beerman. She started as a secretary and became Congressional Office Manager and moved to Washington DC for 3 years. She then became employed by Availability in Sioux City IA until 1970. There she met her current husband Jerry Muilenburg. They were married August 30, 1974. She then owned and operated A.B.L.E. Personnel for 10 years. She and Jerry moved to Houston, TX for 9 years where they started their own business named J & J Enterprises, specializing in tenant build-outs for commercial properties. After moving back to South Sioux, she was employed part time with Action Moving for 3 years, before finally retiring to do what she loves best....gardening.
Jean was not only a pillar in the community, but a very active member of all that follows: Saint Michael's Catholic Church, member, past Regent, and past President for the Catholic Daughters in South Sioux City, head of the Social Welfare Department in Dakota County in her early years, founder of the South Sioux City Chamberettes and President for 2 years, Chairperson of the Dakota County Republican Party from 1972-1981, Delegate to the Nebraska Republican State Convention numerous times, member of the Congressional Secretaries Association, worked with Congressman Ralph Beerman in Washington D.C. and in Dakota County as Assistant to the Congressman and Office Manager, she was honored as the First Woman to receive Admiral of the Nebraska Navy, 35 Years of perfect attendance for the American Business Women's Association, also voted Woman of the Year, proud mother, friend, community member and business owner, and last but certainly not least the "Official tomato lady of South Sioux City, where she and Jerry sold vegetables at the Farmer‘s Market for 20 years!!!"
She is survived by her husband, Jerry; son, Kenneth Goodsell and his wife Diane of New Braunfels TX; daughter, Kathleen "Kay" Goodsell of South Sioux City, NE; 6 step-children; Greg Muilenburg and wife Ann of Iowa City, IA, Laurel Southwick and husband Chuck of West Des Moines IA, Anne Bentson of Sioux City IA, Peggy Monarch and husband Lyle of Sioux Falls, SD, Jon Muilenburg and wife Mylinn of Minneapolis MN, and Susan Tauzell and husband Jason of Hudson WI; 2 grandchildren, Jonathon Goodsell of Houston TX, and Joshua Goodsell and wife Meagan of College Station TX; 12 step-grandchildren; 5 step-great-grandchildren; her blessed God-children, Diane Breuning, and Tom Zimmer; sisters, Doris Noecker of Bow Valley NE, and Marilyn "Midge" Zimmer and husband Ed of Hartington NE; brothers, Dennis "John" Haberman and wife Jean of Reno, NV, and Ronald Haberman of Costa Rica; sister-in-law, Shirley Haberman of Weschaee WA; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends that are a huge part of her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Gerald Haberman.
The way she shared her love, by always being willing and able to help wherever and whenever possible, will truly be missed by the many people across the miles that had the opportunity to be a part of her journey thru life.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland or St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City, Nebraska.