Sylvia E. Jans, 95, of Redfield, SD and formerly of Doland, SD, died Friday, May 20, 2011 at Eastern Star Home in Redfield. Her funeral will be Monday, May 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. Father William Osborn will officiate. Burial will be in the Doland Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5-6:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Sylvia Esther was born June 23, 1915 near Doland, SD to Alois and Mary (Schneider) Rahm. Sylvia was the youngest of nine children and she attended country school. She married Clifford Jans in 1953 and to this union, her children, Darwin and Janelle were born. In 1968, Sylvia and her children moved to the family farm. Sylvia was a homemaker all her life.

Sylvia enjoyed riding horses as a child and later in life enjoyed driving in the country checking out the fields and crops. Sylvia and her sister Effie kept track of the weather each day for many, many years. Sylvia enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and visiting with people. She was known for setting people straight when she thought they needed it.

Sylvia is survived by her children: Janelle (Delbert) Fortin of Redfield and Darwin Jans of Yankton; her grandchildren: Amy (Jay) Hermann, Jon (Courtney) Nelson and Audrey Appel and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by Dave Nelson and his children: Barrett, Katelyn and Camryn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters: Maggie, Effie, Hazel and Pearl and her brothers: Frank, Abel, Charles and Michael.