Josephine Lucy Devereaux

Josephine died on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall, just 20 days short of her 100th birthday. Josephine Lucy Hennen was born on April 8, 1916, in Westerheim Township to Leo and Christine (Van Uden) Hennen. She grew up on her parents' farm between Ghent and Minneota. She was Baptized, received First Communion and Confirmed at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. Josephine graduated from grade school at St. Agnes Catholic School in Ghent. During high school, she moved to help take care of her sister’s children after the death of her brother-in-law. She graduated from Taunton High School in 1932. She liked to tell her family that she was Valedictorian of her class of seven students! On November 4, 1939, Josephine married Jerome Devereaux at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. After their marriage, they resided on the Devereaux family farm in Stanley Township. Jerome passed away in 1964. Jo continued farming with her sons until she moved to Marshall in 1985. In 2005, she moved to Hill Street Place where she enjoyed her retirement years. Jo’s family was most important to her, and she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, baking, embroidering, and playing cards and dominoes. Jo served as an Altar Society member and catechism teacher at St. Clotilde, a 4-H Leader, and as a volunteer at the Avera Marshall Auxiliary Thrift Store. She sponsored a child in the Philippines through the Unbound organization for many years. Josephine is survived by her children Pat (Marty) Rossini of Stillwater, Ruth (Gary) Magnuson of Alexandria, Jeri (Leonard) Coequyt of Hopkins, Doug (Helen) Devereaux of Marshall, Kevin (Diane) Devereaux of Slayton, and Dennis (Kathy) Devereaux of Cottonwood, 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, sister Margaret "Peg" Boerboom of Marshall, sisters-in-law Roselia Hennen of Minneota and Darlene Van Overbeke of Marshall and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome, her granddaughter Amy Rossini, her great-grandson Joe Rossini, her parents, brothers Leo and Edward Hennen, and sisters Ann Traen, Dora Kesteloot, Gert Sanders and Ida Wyffels, sisters-in-law Dorothy McLaughlin, Doreen Van Overbeke and Mae Van Overbeke. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Clotilde Catholic Church or Unbound.