Melissa “Missy” Janssen, age 46, of Russell, Minnesota, died peacefully on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Prairie Home Hospice – McLaughlin House in Marshall, Minnesota. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2023, at Victory Christian Church in Balaton, Minnesota. A reception will follow at the Balaton Community Center (134 3rd Street). Interment will then be in the Russell Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening will conclude with a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will then continue, one hour prior to the service, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of her celebration at 10:30 a.m., on Friday at the church in Balaton. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Victory Christian Church in Balaton. The Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall is handling the arrangements.
Melissa Kay Williams was born on May 3, 1976, in Marshall, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Richard and Melanie (Stenerson) Williams. Melissa was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and she grew up on the Williams’ family farm. After graduating from RTR high school in 1995, Missy started her employment as a production worker at Schott Electronics in 1996. After some name changes to the company and title changes to her position, she moved to the purchasing team in 2006 where Missy stayed until she was unable to continue working in January of 2022. On September 28, 2002, Melissa was united in marriage to her soul mate, Jason Janssen, at Grace First Parish in Russell, Minnesota. After moving around Russell a few times the couple settled on the family farm in 2010. It was then that they welcomed their daughter, Emma Joan, and raised her there. Missy said one of her greatest gifts was being trusted by God as Emma’s mother. Melissa would like to be remembered as enjoying days spent with her family and friends, going on girl weekends to craft shows, taking the nieces and nephews to sleep overs, special little trips and shows, Sunday dinners together as a family, playing cards, and just sitting back to watch the kids play. She recalled all of the family trips to the lake, playing bean bags, yard games, and campfires to end a perfect day which likely included a boat ride on the lake. In the fall Missy loved to have Saturday morning breakfasts. When her body was no longer able to keep up with other hobbies Missy found enjoyment in coloring, Diamond Art, and baking. She was always happy to spend time with visitors and sharing a God story with anyone who would listen. Missy explicitly communicated gratitude for all of the visitors, support groups, family, and friends that walked with her in her cancer journey. She wrote,” I am TRULY BLESSED by each of you I would not have been able to do all of this without you.” Missy reminded everybody regularly that we needed to follow God’s plan, whatever that would include. Her path on this earth ended on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Marshall, Minnesota, under the care of Hospice. She entered her Heavenly Home at the age of 46 years, 10 months, and 20 days. Blessed be her memory.
She is survived by her husband, Jason, and her daughter, Emma, of Russell; father, Richard Williams of Russell; brothers, Lyle (and Marilyn) Williams of Russell, Scott (and Terri) Williams of Russell; brother-in-law, Bob Lustfield of Russell; nephew and nieces, Chris Lustfield of Volga, SD; Ski (and Naomi) Williams of Redwood Falls, Amber (and Erastus) Williams of Russell, Kelsey Eide of Sioux Falls, Kristina (and Jarrad) Emery of Sioux Falls, Miranda (and Scott) Anthony of Porter, Megan Williams of Marshall, Dustin Williams of Russell, Casey Williams of Russell; other relatives and many friends. Melissa was preceded in death by her mother, Melanie Williams; sister, Wendy Lustfield; and an infant child due to miscarriage.
