ELKHART -- Jean Mansholt, 73, of 1623 Garden St., died at 3:22 p.m. Thursday (June 29, 2006) in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

She was born Oct. 27, 1932, in Decatur, Ill., to Perry and Ruby (Hughes) Duncan. She married Edward J. Mansholt on May 30, 1987, in Elgin, Ill.

He survives, along with four sons, David Foster of Muskegon, Mich., Pastor Kevin (Gwenda) Foster and Greg Foster, both of Elkhart, and Randal (Anne) Foster of Elgin; three daughters, Patricia (Allen) Hoffman of Elgin, Cynthia (Burt) France of Crystal Lake, Ill., and Victoria Foster of Elkhart; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one brother, Ronald Duncan of Elkhart.

She was preceded in death by five sisters, Betty Dant, Dimple Duncan, Barbara Mattair, Katheryn Mansholt and Lena Mae Cripe.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to the 2 p.m. Sunday funeral service, all at the Praise Fortress, 1226 Cedar St. (Oak and Cedar streets), Elkhart. Her son, Pastor Kevin Foster, and Pastor Mark Ahrens will officiate and burial will follow in Little Pine Cemetery, Goshen. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Mansholt was a homemaker and a LPN. She was the former district director of the Civil Defense in Streamwood, Ill. She was a 1950 graduate of Urbana High School, Urbana, Ill. She enjoyed being a mother and grandmother and had many interests including roller skating, writing poetry, drawing, singing and being outdoors.

Mrs. Mansholt was a member of her son's church, the Praise Fortress.

Memorials may be given to Praise Fortress, 1226 Cedar St., Elkhart, IN 46514. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.